Police in Lusaka have shot dead four dangerous criminals believed to have staged a robbery in Kalundu area along Mulungushi Road.

According to a statement issued yesterday by Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo, the incident happened on Tuesday afternoon after officers received a tip from members of the public notifying them that a group of six armed criminals were about to stage a robbery within Kalundu area.

Katongo stated that two of the criminals were armed with an AK 47 assault riffle and managed escape from the police.

“Police in Lusaka yesterday at about 16:00 hours gunned down four criminals in Kalundu area. This was after they received a tip off from members of the public that there was a group of six armed criminals driving an unregistered Toyota Spacio who were about to stage a robbery within Kalundu. Officers rushed to the area and spotted the Silver Spacio at the T-junction of Mulungushi Road and after noticing the presence of Police, the criminals whilst firing at the officers U-turned and sped off,” stated Katongo

“Police gave chase and when they were catching up with them, four criminals came out of the vehicle trying to escape and were caught up with the bullets while two who were armed with an AK 47 riffle escaped using the said motor vehicle. Those shot dead were found with a Pistol Crvena Zastava-cal, two black bags containing four masks, a machete, two hummers and a man-made crowbar. The bodies are in UTH mortuary awaiting postmortem and identification.”

And in another incident, Katongo stated that police had received a murder case of a female adult believed to have been strangled and raped before being dumped in a makeshift store of Lusaka’s George Compound.

“Police also received a report of murder which happened on 23rd January, 2018 at about 06:00 hours at a makeshift store near George Central Primary School in George Compound. The report was made by members of the public that they found a body of female adult in a makeshift store who was later identified by relatives. Police visited the scene and suspected that the deceased aged 28 was strangled and might have been raped. The body is in UTH mortuary awaiting postmortem. Investigations have been instituted in the matter” stated Katongo.