Thirteen suspected criminals are on the free in Zambia after a tipsy detective unlocked jail cells on New Year’s Eve and informed inmates they had been free to go, police mentioned Friday.
The detective “in a state of intoxication, forcibly seized cell keys” from Constable Serah Banda and “unlocked each the female and male cells and instructed the suspects to go away, stating they had been free to cross over into the New Year”, a police statement mentioned.
All however two of the 15 suspects within the jail on the time escaped when the cells had been opened on the morning of December 31.
“The suspects stay fugitives,” police spokesman Rae Hamoonga informed AFP Friday.
“Many of the suspects face expenses for severe crimes, together with assault, theft, and housebreaking. Allowing them to stay at giant could pose a major danger to public security,” he mentioned.
The detective fled the scene however was arrested quickly afterwards.
“The Zambia Police Service has intensified efforts to find and apprehend the escapees,” police mentioned in an announcement. “We urge members of the general public with any data that will help in finding the suspects to report back to the closest police station.”
As of Monday, police had not offered any replace on the escaped inmates.
