Police in Lusaka have shot dead one suspected dangerous criminal and recovered an AK47 rifle and some ammunition.
Zambia Police Service Assistant Public Relations Officer, Godfrey Chilabi, told ZANIS that the incident occurred on January 27, 2023 around 18:00 hours along Kasangula road.
Mr Chilabi said acting on a tip-off from an informer that criminals were about to stage a robbery, the anti-robbery squad was quickly dispatched to the area.
He said the snti-robbery squad spotted a Toyota Axio, along Kasangula road, matching the description given by the informant.
Mr Chilabi said the motor vehicle was parked by the roadside with three suspected criminals standing outside.
The suspected criminals were then ambushed by the police and an exchange of fire ensued.
He said two criminals managed to jump onto the Toyota Axio motor vehicle and sped off while one was hit by a bullet, which sent him to the ground.
Mr Chilabi added that police officers recovered an AK47 rifle that had its serial number erased. The police also recovered four rounds of ammunition.
“He was picked up and rushed to University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for treatment. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” said Mr Chilabi.
Mr Chilabi said the deceased is believed to have escaped from the recent shooting incident in Kitwe involving theft of motor vehicle that occurred at Chiwempala police station.
He added that the dead suspect is also believed to have been behind a spate of aggravated robberies that occurred in Copperbelt and Lusaka provinces.
“An inquiry file has since been opened while a manhunt has been instituted to apprehend the other two who fled,” he said.
Mr Chilabi said the body of the deceased has been deposited into the University Teaching Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem.