Two suspected armed robbers shot dead in Lusaka police operation

Two suspected criminals were shot dead on August 11, 2025, during an exchange of fire with police in Garden House Compound, Lusaka.

Police Assistant Public Relations Officer, Godfrey Chilabi, said the incident occurred around 21:30 hours during an intelligence-led Anti-Robbery Squad operation targeting Nelson Chirwa, alias “John,” a wanted ex-convict.

Chirwa was previously convicted over an aggravated robbery at Refuel Filling Station in Sesheke in 2021, during which an AK-47 rifle was recovered.

According to Chilabi, officers received a tip-off around 21:00 hours that the suspect was hiding at an accomplice’s house in Garden House.

Upon arrival, the suspects opened fire from inside the house, prompting officers to return fire.

“An exchange of fire ensued, resulting in two suspects being neutralised. Another suspect, believed to be wounded, escaped with an unknown firearm,” Chilabi said.

The deceased, identified as Chirwa and a man named Ben, both aged between 30 and 40, were residents of Garden House. A post-operation search recovered a 9mm Star pistol loaded with several rounds of ammunition.

Preliminary forensic analysis linked the two to several aggravated robberies and murders, including the January 9, 2025, attack on businessman Sydney Mateyo at Kalambo and Lumumba Road.

Mateyo was shot and robbed of K950,000 after withdrawing money from a bank, and later died at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

“The bodies are lying in the UTH mortuary pending identification and post-mortem,” Chilabi said, adding that a manhunt for the escaped suspect was underway.

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