The Lusaka Regional Immigration Office has apprehended 16 male suspected illegal immigrants in a routine clean-up operation conducted on 12th February 2025.
The operation, which targeted Lusaka’s 6 Miles, Kanyama, and Light Industrial areas, resulted in the arrest of 8 Burundians, 4 Congolese, 1 Chinese, 1 Indian, 1 Rwandese, and1 Zimbabwean.
Immigration Chief Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, said that the suspects were found either working or engaging in trade without the necessary immigration permits at the time of the raids.
“They are currently detained at Kamulanga Police Station and will face charges for various immigration offences,” said Mr. Nshinka.
Meanwhile in a separate operation, the Nyimba Immigration Office detained 23 undocumented Ethiopian nationals aged between 14 and 25.
Mr. Nshinka said the individuals were intercepted by officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife in the late hours of 11th February 2025, at the Unyanya Checkpoint while traveling in a Lusaka-bound grey Toyota Regius vehicle, registration number ARC 4874.
He said the driver, suspected to be Zambian, fled the scene and is currently on the run.
All 23 suspects are being held at the Nyimba Correctional Facility pending further formalities.
Mr. Nshinka said the recent operations in Lusaka and Nyimba are part of the Department’s ongoing efforts aimed at curbing illegal immigration.
By Margaret Mwanza
