Police Gun Down 8 Notorious Criminals Linked to Aggravated Robbery and Murd3r in Zambia

Police on the Copperbelt have shot dead eight suspected criminals, including a former Zambia Army officer and an ex-convict, following a targeted operation in the Zamtan Farm Block area of Kitwe in Zambia.

The fatal shooting happened on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, around 07:00 hours, as police closed in on the gang that had been on their wanted list for a long time.

Copperbelt Province Police Commissioner, Pethias Siandenge, confirmed the development, saying the suspects were linked to two separate aggravated robbery and murder cases, including an incident that left a Chinese national dead.

The group was also behind a violent farm robbery in the same area on June 16, 2025, where they seriously injured another victim with gunshot wounds.

Commissioner Siandenge identified the deceased suspects as:

Abel Banda (39)  a former Zambia Army officer from Mufulira

Chileshe Mwango (36)  also from Mufulira

Mashati Kaleyo Chola (42)  from Ndola

Kashiba Chalwe (55)  from Ndola

Davies Chilemu (53)  from Kitwe

Costa Mofya aka Richard (38)  from Kitwe

Albert Bwalya (28)  from Kalulushi

Friday Nsakanya (22)  from Kalulushi

Police say the operation was carried out after extensive surveillance and intelligence gathering.

The incident marks one of the largest single-day anti-crime operations in recent months on the Copperbelt.

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on violent crime and urged the public to report any suspicious activities.