Burundians, Chinese among 41 suspected illegal immigrants nabbed in Lusaka raid

The Lusaka Regional Immigration Office has apprehended 41 suspected illegal immigrants during an operation conducted on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in various parts of the district, including Kanyama, Lusaka West, Chunga, Lilanda, and Matero.

The Department of Immigration said the operation was part of its ongoing efforts to curb illegal immigration across the country.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Immigration Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, said those arrested included 26 Burundians, eight Congolese, two Tanzanians, one Chinese national, and one Rwandese.

Additionally, three Zambian nationals were detained for allegedly obstructing officers in the execution of their duties.

“All suspects are currently detained and undergoing screening and further processing,” Nshinka said.

He added that the April 8 operation brings the total number of individuals apprehended for immigration-related offenses between April 7 and 8, 2025, to 107.

Nshinka also disclosed that 45 Ethiopian nationals who had paid court fines for illegal entry and unlawful stay in Zambia were removed from the country aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on April 8.

“This latest operation forms part of a broader removal exercise that saw a total of 100 illegal immigrants of various nationalities removed from Zambia between April 7 and 8,” he said.

During the same period, the department said it secured 40 convictions and denied entry to six individuals who failed to meet immigration requirements.

Nshinka reminded the public to comply with immigration laws and report any suspicious activity to the nearest immigration office.

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