Police report jail break in Mbala, 44 suspects declared missing

Forty-four suspects have escaped from police custody at Mbala Police Station after breaking through a cell wall using a metal bar in the early hours of Monday. According to a report by Radio Luswepo of Mbala, the mass escape occurred in a dramatic overnight incident that has prompted an intensive police manhunt. Mbala Police Criminal Investigations Officer Pasco Kasawa confirmed the development, explaining that the suspects created a hole in the wall large enough to flee through.

“We are appealing to members of the public to cooperate with the police by providing any information that may help in the identification and re-arrest of the escapees,” Kasawa said. He said a manhunt had since been launched and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak were underway. Kasawa also urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious individuals to the nearest police station.