By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Police have gunned down three armed criminals who staged an aggravated robbery targeted at a named company in Lusaka’s ten miles area.
Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said police conducted an intelligence led operation and managed to forestall an aggravated robbery targeted at a named company in Lusaka’s ten miles area.
Mr Hamoonga said this was after police intercepted five criminals who opened fire at the police after being challenged by officers.
He said an exchange of fire ensued and three criminals lost their lives.
Mr Hamoonga said the incident occurred on November 30, 2021 at around 07:30 hours in Chunga Township.
“This was when five suspected criminals armed with one AK 47 Rifle and two pistols who on November 23, 2021 shot at a motor vehicle Hino light truck registration number BAR 7431 which was being driven by Alex Ngo’mbo were spotted in Chunga Township,” he said.
He said Police dispatched a patrol team to the area and upon arrival at the scene of incident they found five men who fitted the description of the purported criminals and police fired several warning shots unfortunately the criminals fired back at the officers and an exchange of fire ensued.
Mr Hamoonga said during the exchange of fire three criminals were shot at while two managed to escape.
He said three fire arms have been recovered and a manhunt has been launched.
“The bodies of the three suspects have been deposited in the University Teaching Hospital mortuary awaiting identification and burial” he said.
In a similar development police recorded a report of Murder and Aggravated Robbery in which Tasmania Ngandu 38 of unmarked house number in Chainda Township was shot dead by unknown criminals.
Mr Hamoonga said criminals later went away with his Toyota Corolla grey in color registration Number BAJ 3637 and undisclosed amount of money.
He said the incident occurred on November 29, 2021 at around 23:15 hours when the victim was about to enter his yard.
“After being shot he sustained fatal gunshot wounds on the back and left leg. The victim’s body was deposited in University Teaching Hospital Mortuary awaiting Postmortem and burial.
Mr Hamonga said the motor vehicle was later found abandoned in Mtendere east on November 30,2021 around 08:00 hours.
He said Police has warned all those that are engaging in criminal activities that the Service stands ready to defend the good orderliness throughout the Country by using all legal means at its disposal to defend the law abiding citizenry.
Mr Hamoonga said to those with criminal intentions he reminded them that crime does not pay”
He has called on the general public to partner with the police to get rid of these criminal elements in society by reporting them to the nearest police stations or police detectives.
