By JOHN SAKALA
Seventeen (17) inmates at Police at Mansa Central Police Station have escaped from male police cells.
And in stopping the inmates from escaping, one has been gunned down.
Police Deputy Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga has confirmed the escape of the 17 inmates to The Independent Observer in an interview.
Mr Hamoonga said the inmates escaped around 02:00 hours today September 15.
He said the escape happened when two police officers on duty were taking a suspect to police cells.
“It was at that point that the suspects who where in custody pushed the door thereby overpowering the officers and escaped.
“Those who escaped include: Prince Chinyata facing Aggravated Robbery and Rape, Ephraim Kombe, Charles Mwila, Robert Chansa, Kabaso Malama, Martin Mwaba and Ottis Musonda all facing the offence of Robbery,” he said.
Others are Joseph Chola, Sydney Musongole, Peter Mambwe and Lewis Mwewa all facing the offence of theft.
Isaac Nkanzi, Peter Sinyangwe and James Yumba all facing the offense of trafficking in psychotropic substances.
And Oliver Mulenga and Jackson Katuba both facing Breakings cases and Emmanuel Chikota facing the offence of Assault.
Mr Hamoonga said in an effort to stop the suspects from escaping, the officers gunned down one suspect and wounded two others but still they managed to escape.
He said later at 01:30hrs Isaac Nkanzi was brought back to the Police Station by his father Sydney Nkanzi.
“This now brings the remaining number of suspects at large to 15.
“We are appealing to the general public who may have any information that may lead to the arrest of any of these suspects to report to the nearest police station as soon as it is possible,” he said.
