By Deborah Nnamdi
A drunk police officer in Zambia freed 13 suspects from custody so that they could go and celebrate the new year, officials say.
Reports said detective inspector Titus Phiri was arrested after releasing the suspects from Leonard Cheelo police station in the capital, Lusaka, before running away himself.
The 13 detainees were accused of crimes such as assault, robbery, and burglary.
They are all currently on the run and a manhunt has been launched to find them.
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said that Phiri, “in a state of intoxication, forcibly seized cell keys” from constable Serah Banda on New Year’s Eve.
“Subsequently, Detective Inspector Phiri unlocked both the male and female cells and instructed the suspects to leave, stating they were free to cross over into the new year,” he said.
“Out of the 15 suspects in custody, 13 escaped. Following the incident, the officer fled the scene.”
Phiri has not yet commented on the allegations
