The Immigration Department in Nakonde in Northern Province has arrested ten Somali nationals for illegal entry into Zambia.
The Immigration Department has also arrested and detained three people, including two Zambian nationals and one Tanzanian, for allegedly aiding the prohibited immigrants.
Nakonde District Commissioner, Edwin Sinyinza, confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS in Nakonde today.
Mr Sinyinza said the prohibited immigrants were intercepted by alert immigration officers near Wulongo police check point, about 6 km from Nakonde border.
Mr Sinyinza said the Somali nationals are currently detained at Nakonde police station and will appear in court today.
The District Commissioner added that three taxi drivers have also been charged with various offences ranging from human trafficking, and are also expected to appear in court today.
Mr Sinyinza said the problem of prohibited immigrants entering the country has of late become rampant, adding that there was an urgent need for the security officers to step up the efforts in curbing the trend.
Mr Sinyinza has also warned local people to desist from aiding prohibited immigrants and that those being lured into making quick money should be dealt with severely once arrested.
“I want to take this opportunity to warn people assisting the prohibited immigrants that it is a serious offence and any one found wanting will be dealt with severely as it is a security risk to do so,” he said.
Mr Sinyinza also appealed to the Nakonde residents to be on high alert and report any suspicious looking people to the law enforcement agencies.
On Monday this week, 72 prohibited immigrants who included Tanzanian, Kenyan and Somali nationals were deported through Nakonde border by the Immigration Department.
Efforts to get a comment from Immigration Public Relations Officer Pauline Mbangweta, failed.
ZANIS
What do the Somalis want in Zambia? There is total chaos and lawlessness in their country which is said to be the most dangerous on earth. They are ruthless and they are a serious threat internationally. Zambia must be on the lookout for them before they cause misery. The so called African Union (talking shop) has done nothing about Somalia.
This will start happening to us Zambians who are working in other countries. We applied for new passports before the expiry date in march but up to now we have nothing. What is the work of the high commission?They cant even provide us with letters to explain this when we are caught. Wat is wrong with our country?
#1 and 2 just take a deep breath and chill out. Somalis are just people with natural feelings too and pursuing dreams like you and me. It is not their fault that their country has become the craddle of lawlessness. Nedved, be patient, your passport will soon arrive if you applied on time.
#3, do you want pipo with links to alqeda to be settled in Zambia, these are the same pipo who will be bombed by the US / GB, plase let them show their papers, if not they must be sent back to Somali.
Pliz Uncle Teta recover soon! even if they cal u names just get well. only don`t die this month it is supposed to be my birthday!
Iye! fwayeni ba Mpombo bali kwisa ba tu tamfishe ko ba Alquaeda ba Somali mwebo! where shall we run to nga fya bomoka!
These Khat chewing, ruthless islamist mass murderers should be watched very carefully in Zambia because they are Al qaeda operatives. Get their fingerprints and DNA and send them to the Americans. They know who is who in the ‘base.’
#3 Nine Chale, So you support these dangerous men coming into the country illegaly? Ask yourself, why do they choose to come to Zambia? They know that the security situation in Zambia is poor and so they will operate freely. We are talking about terrorists and once they strike you Chale will be the first to complain that the police are doing nothing to protect Zambia. Somalis know nothing else except crime and bloodshed.
Ba Lusaka Times, please it is Mulako Mbangweta, Pauline works for UTH mwebantu!!
Somalis want to live in peace as any other refugee from a war-torn country. If you didn’t have peace in your nation;I’m sure some of your country folk would have seeked refuge/asylum in other countries as well.