The  Zambia Department of Immigration, between 6th and 10th December 2024, apprehended 83 suspected illegal immigrants in five separate routine operations carried out in Isoka, Lusaka, Katete, Chirundu, and Zombe.

A 25-year-old Tanzanian, Issa Kikomeko, was intercepted by the Isoka Immigration Office at Mwaiseni Checkpoint on Tuesday for aiding six undocumented immigrants, including three Ethiopians, two Somalis, and an Eritrean, all aged between 18 and 25.

According to Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka, they were found hidden under dangerous conditions, with five concealed underneath the chassis of a trailer and one inside the cabin of a truck’s horse.

Additionally, 45 suspects were apprehended on 9th December 2024 across several high-density population areas in Lusaka, reported to have large populations of suspected illegal immigrants.

The arrested individuals included 31 Burundians, 10 Congolese, two Tanzanians, one Rwandese, and one Malawian.

Nshinka mentioned that the areas visited during the operation included Garden Chilulu, Ngombe, Silverest, Mutumbi, Helen Kaunda, Chilenje, and Kamanga.

Meanwhile, 13 undocumented Malawian nationals were apprehended on 8th December 2024 by the Katete Immigration Office after being intercepted at the Mpoto Checkpoint while traveling in different Lusaka-bound public service buses.

Among the detained individuals were five males and eight females, who were accompanied by 10 minors.

The females, along with the minors, were immediately removed from the country, while the five male adults are detained at Kazulabowa Correctional Facility.

In addition, ten individuals, including eight Zimbabweans, one Congolese, and one Tanzanian, were nabbed on 6th December 2024 in various compounds within Chirundu District for illegal entry and unlawful stay.

Furthermore, Immigration Officers at Zombe Border Control on 9th December 2024 nabbed six undocumented Burundians for illegal entry and two Zambians for aiding their illegal entry.