Creditor abducts debtor’s wife in Chadiza

Police in Eastern province are looking for a woman of Chadiza district who has been abducted by two people, one of whom is said to be owed money by the victim’s husband.

The incident is reported to have occurred after Elias Sakala, 38, failed to pay back a K700 he owes the lender and one of the suspects, Clement Soko, of Kapinde village.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, Robertson Mweemba said the abduction occurred yesterday, December 28, at around 10:00 hours at Sanzu Water Affairs area in Chadiza and was reported by the victim’s husband.

“It was reported that Edina Phiri, 37, was abducted by two people. But the reporter only managed to identify one, as Clement Soko of Kapinde village, Chipata district,” he said.

The abductors were using a motor bike whose registration number is not yet known.

“Brief facts of the matter are that in October, 2025, on an unknown date, the reporter borrowed K700 from Clement Soko. The money was meant to boost his sugar business as he buys sugar from Malawi for resale here in Zambia. The money was to be paid back in a week’s time, but due to some challenges, he was unable to pay back the money,” Mr Mweemba explained.

He added that on December 28, he left home around 05:00 hrs and went to the field, leaving his wife and children at home.

However, around 10:00hrs whilst he was at the field, he received a phone call from one of the suspects, Clement Soko, asking him where he was.

The victim responded that he was at the field.

“The caller then said he had followed him at his house and that he was waiting for him. That’s how the reporter left what he was doing and started going back home and on his way back he met his son, crying that his mother had been taken away by people he does not know,” he stated.

Mr Mweemba explained that upon hearing that, the reporter got confused and tried to call Clement Soko who at first did not pick the phone but later answered and demanded for K1,000 in order for him to release the woman.

“He tried to reason and pleaded with him but to no avail,” Mr Mweemba said.

The suspect switched off the phone after the above conversation.

After confirming the information, the victim’s husband waited at home for a while, hoping the wife would return, but she did not.

“He then decided to report the matter to Chadiza Police Station around 18:00hrs,” he said.

The reporter further indicated that his wife’s phone was equally off.

A manhunt has since been instituted to bring to book the abductors.