Senior police officer takes own life after shooting self in the head

A Senior Police officer based at Police Service Headquarters, Daniel Banda, aged 53 has shot himself to death in unclear circumstances, Police officials have revealed.

Banda, who was Assistant Superintendent prior to his death was attached to the Ballistics Unit at the service headquarters, shot himself using a pistol.

Assistant Public Relations Officer, Timothy Malumo, confirmed the incident involving Banda in a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday.

“Zambia Police Service in Lusaka recorded an incident of a sudden and unnatural death which occurred on 14th September 2026, at around 20:45hrs at Police Service Headquarters,” Malumo said.

Brief facts were that Banda locked himself in his office around 17:00 hrs, in possession of an AK-47 rifle and a pistol, and threatened to take his own life.

“Negotiations with him commenced at approximately 17:00 hours and continued until 20:45 hours, but without success. He subsequently discharged the firearm, shooting himself in the head,” Malumo said.

He said Banda’s body had since been deposited at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Mortuary awaiting postmortem.

Investigations have been instituted into the matter and more details will be availed in due course.

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