By IREEN MULENGA
The Department of Immigration in Chipata has apprehended 76 Ethiopian nationals for the offence on unlawful entry.
Migration Public Relation Officer Namati Nshinka said that the Ethiopians aged between 15 and 35 years were intercepted on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 near Musekela area in Chipata by a team of Immigration Officers from the Chipata Regional Immigration Office and Mwami Border Control.
“They were found concealed in maize bran-laden Zambian Registered Volvo Truck, following a tip-off from members of the public. The truck is believed to have been Lusaka bound, 76 are currently detained at Chipata Central Police and will be transferred to Namuseche Correctional Facility pending further immigration formalities,” he said.
Mr Nshinka said that the driver of the truck managed to escape and they have instituted Investigations into the matter.
In a similar development, the Chibombo Immigration Office on April 20, 2021 apprehended 11 Ethiopians aged between 11 and 30 years for unlawful entry.
Two Zambians were also apprehended, one of them a Police Officer for aiding the Ethiopians to enter and remain in Zambia illegally.
The suspects were intercepted at Chisamba Check Point following a tip-off from members of the public investigations into this matter are ongoing.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the country the Department of Immigration between 19th and 21st April, 2021 apprehended fifty-seven (57) persons for various immigration offences.
During this period the Department also removed 56 illegal immigrants from the country, 32 Ethiopians removed on April 20, 2021 via Kenneth Kaunda International Airport with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Further, 36 convictions were secured during this period and eight foreign nationals refused entry into Zambia for failing to meet entry requirements.
This is contained in a statement issued by migration Public relations Officer Namati Nshinka.
