A police officer in Zambia has been arrested after he released 13 suspects from custody while under the influence of alcohol, allowing them to celebrate the New Year.
Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, stationed at the Leonard Cheelo police station in Lusaka, took the keys to the cells from Constable Serah Banda on New Year’s Eve and unlocked the cells.
“In a state of intoxication, [Phiri] forcibly seized cell keys… Subsequently, Detective Inspector Phiri unlocked both the male and female cells and instructed the suspects to leave, stating they were free to cross over into the new year,” explained police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga.
The suspects, who were accused of crimes such as assault, robbery, and burglary, were all allowed to escape. Out of 15 detainees, 13 took advantage of the situation and fled.
Following the incident, Phiri himself ran away, and a manhunt has been launched to locate the escaped suspects.
The officer has not yet provided a response to the allegations.
The incident has drawn mixed reactions, with former presidential spokesperson and lawyer Dickson Jere recalling a similar situation from 1997, where a judge released 53 suspects over delays in their court appearances.
