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The Mpulungu Immigration Office has apprehended 25 Congolese nationals, aged between 15 and 55, during a joint clean-up operation along the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
The operation, conducted on January 30, 2026, was carried out in collaboration with the Zambia Army and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), according to a statement issued by Namati Nshinka, Chief Public Relations Officer for the Department of Immigration.
Nshinka said the operation covered the villages of Bibwebwe, Kapembwa and Mupapa, located about 100 kilometres from Mpulungu Harbour.
“All the suspects are currently in Immigration custody pending further screening to determine their immigration status and possible prosecution in line with the law,” he stated.
On the same day, the Victoria Falls Immigration Office apprehended nine Bangladeshi nationals for illegal entry, along with two Zambians and one Zimbabwean implicated in aiding and abetting the suspected illegal immigrants.
The arrests followed intelligence information indicating that the group was being transported from Lusaka to Livingstone, allegedly en route to South Africa through the Victoria Falls heritage site.
Acting on the tip-off, Immigration officers mounted an operation around 02:30 hours and intercepted the suspects approximately two kilometres from the Kebby Musokotwane Toll Gate.
The nine Bangladeshi nationals, aged 19 to 35, were arrested together with Martin Sibanda, a 30-year-old Zimbabwean believed to be facilitating their illegal passage into Zimbabwe.
Also arrested was Francis Londoni (25), a Zambian who had travelled with the group from Lusaka in a Honda Fit, registration CAK 5276.
Another Zambian, Honest Marebesa (29), fled the scene in a Toyota CHR, registration BAZ 4099.
Read More: 165 detained in Lusaka Immigration sweep, more arrests recorded in Ndola
Investigations later revealed that Marebesa swapped the vehicle with his cousin, Hendrix Namuyamba (25), who was subsequently arrested by Kafue Immigration Officers at the Kafue Immigration Checkpoint around 07:30 hours.
Marebesa, however, remains on the run.
Nshinka confirmed that both Francis Londoni and Honest Marebesa are second-time offenders, having been convicted for similar offences in 2025 and fined K60,000 and K80,000, respectively.
The Department of Immigration reiterated its commitment to combating illegal immigration, migrant smuggling and related offences, and commended the cooperation from defence and security agencies in safeguarding the country’s borders.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected cases of illegal immigration and related criminal activities to the nearest Immigration Office,” Nshinka said.
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