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The Ndola Regional Immigration Office has apprehended 175 suspected illegal immigrants during a clean-up operation carried out with support from other security wings.
Department of Immigration Chief Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, said the operation, conducted on February 13, 2026, targeted the Hillcrest, Mitengo, George, Kawama, Kansenshi and Dola Hill areas of Ndola.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, Nshinka said those apprehended included 84 Congolese nationals, 26 persons of unknown nationality, 17 refugees of Congolese origin, 11 Zimbabweans, eight Kenyans, five Somalis, and four Tanzanians.
Others were four Dutch nationals, four Chinese, three Indians, two Finns, two refugees of Eritrean origin, one Eritrean, one American, one Lithuanian, one Ghanaian, and one refugee of Somali origin.
“Following screening and verification processes, 83 individuals were released unconditionally after producing documentary proof of lawful presence in the country or confirmation of Zambian nationality,” Nshinka said.
He said 25 individuals were instructed to report to the Ndola Regional Immigration Office on February 16, 2026, for further verification, while 15 refugees of Congolese origin were directed to self-relocate to Meheba Refugee Settlement in line with established regulations.
Nshinka said 10 Congolese adults accompanied by 26 undocumented minors were removed from the country through the Sakania Border Control.
He added that six Congolese nationals were served with notices to leave Zambia for studying without valid permits.
Two Chinese nationals were released after regularising their stay by paying for Temporary Permits, while a Ghanaian national was handed over to the Drug Enforcement Commission for further action. Seven suspects—two Chinese and five Congolese—remain in detention pending further investigations and possible prosecution.
Meanwhile, in Southern Province, the Department apprehended 17 Ethiopian nationals between February 12 and 13 for failing to report to an Immigration Officer upon entry into Zambia.
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On February 13, the Sinazongwe Immigration Office arrested 11 Ethiopians, aged between 17 and 36. “Six of them were in possession of valid Ethiopian passports but had no Zambian entry endorsement stamps,” Nshinka said.
A day earlier, the Kalomo Immigration Office detained six Ethiopian nationals, aged 19 to 26, after a tip-off from residents of Kamukeza Village in Zimba District who suspected prohibited immigrants in the area. Immigration officers jointly working with the Zambia Army in Mapatizya apprehended the suspects.
Nshinka said five of the six had valid passports, while one was undocumented. Those with passports lacked Zambian entry endorsements and reported being abandoned in the bush by unknown individuals while attempting to transit to South Africa.
He reiterated that while Zambia remains committed to facilitating lawful travel, trade and regional integration, all foreign nationals are required to comply with immigration laws, including presenting themselves to Immigration Officers upon entry and obtaining appropriate permits.
Nshinka also commended members of the public and cooperating security wings for their support and urged citizens to continue reporting suspected immigration violations.
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