Karonga Police Arrest 22 Ethiopian Teenagers Over Illegal Entry
Published on February 19, 2026 at 12:30 PM by Edgar Naitha
Police in Karonga have apprehended 22 Ethiopian teenagers, aged between 12 and 18, on suspicion of entering Malawi without valid documentation.
Karonga Police spokesperson, Margret Msiska Ngulube, confirmed that the arrests followed a tip-off regarding suspected illegal immigrants being harboured in a house in the Chimalawanthu area.
Law enforcement officers raided the premises on 18 February 2026, where they found the minors concealed in different rooms.
Preliminary investigations revealed that none of the teenagers had valid travel documents, leading to their detention.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the house owner, Andrea Nyirenda of Chimalawanthu, who was reportedly absent at the time of the raid.
The suspects are expected to appear before court shortly to face charges of illegal entry.
