On New Year’s Eve, a drunken police officer, Inspector Titus Phiri, allegedly released 13 detainees at the Leonard Cheelo police station in Lusaka, Zambia, to celebrate the start of 2025.
According to the BBC, Phiri, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol, took cell keys from Constable Serah Banda and unlocked both the male and female cells, freeing individuals held for various crimes, including assault, robbery, and burglary.
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga described the incident in detail, stating, “In a state of intoxication, Phiri forcibly seized cell keys… unlocked both the male and female cells, and instructed the suspects to leave, stating they were free to cross over into the new year.”
Authorities working to apprehend those released.
Following the escape of 13 out of the 15 detainees, Phiri himself fled the station, and the officer has yet to address the allegations.
