By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Seven suspected notorious criminals have been shot dead by police in a fierce exchange of fire.
The seven notorious criminals suspected to be of foreign national were cornered in Makeni Simson area after a tip off from members of the public that suspected criminals were about to stage a robbery in the area.
Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo said the criminals are suspected to have been behind a spate of Aggravated Robberies experienced in Lusaka targeting foreign nationals.
Ms Katongo said police have also recovered four firearms among them, three Pistols and one Revolver with rounds of ammunition.
“A search in a motor vehicle which the criminals were using, a Toyota Ipsum registration number ALX 8160, silver in color, a further recovery of 36 rounds of ammunition of a revolver, two number plates bearing registration numbers AAJ 4317 and ABM 9712, two masks, four reverts, 22 assorted cell phones, assorted foreign currency among them Chinese, Indian, Zimbabwean, Malawian and Singapore currencies was made,” she said.
She said this was yesterday December 5, 2019 between 19:00 and 20:00 and the bodies are in UTH mortuary awaiting identification and postmortem.
Ms Katongo has sounded a warning to those planning to commit offences taking advantage of the festive period to reconsider their plans or face the consequences.
She said police officers are on high alert and have intensified patrols on high ways and also in communities across the country so as to avert any planned criminal activity.
Ms Katongo said police will ensure that members of the public celebrate their festivities in a crime free environment.
She has called upon the business Community such as shopping Malls to enhance security at their business premises especially car parks so as to protect properties of their clients.
