A Zambian police officer has been arrested for releasing 13 suspects from police custody while under the influence of alcohol in a bizarre New Year’s Eve incident.
Local reports in Zambia indicate that Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, who was reportedly intoxicated, forcefully took keys from his colleague, Constable Serah Banda, at Leonard Cheelo Police Station in Lusaka on New Year’s Eve.
He allegedly unlocked both the male and female detention cells, instructing the suspects to leave, saying they were “free to cross over into the new year.”
Out of the 15 suspects in custody, 13 managed to escape. Following the incident, the officer reportedly fled the scene.
He was later arrested, and a manhunt was launched for the fleeing suspects.
The suspects were being held for various serious crimes, including assault, robbery, and burglary.
