Reported by: S. Ernest.
Date: 16th February, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
A joint operation between the Immigration Department and the Zambia Police in Mpika has led to the arrest of two Tanzanian nationals for allegedly aiding and abetting the illegal entry of seven undocumented Ethiopian migrants.
The suspects were apprehended on Saturday, 15th February 2025, at approximately 07:00 hours at Mwaiseni Checkpoint in Isoka District, Muchinga Province.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Rashid Ricco (23), a truck driver, and Mohammedi Abdulwahid Hasani (21), his turn boy.
They were caught transporting the seven Ethiopian nationals, who were concealed in an improvised chassis compartment of a sulphur-laden Sino truck (Horse Registration: T653 EFS, Trailer Registration: T653 EFS).
The Ethiopian migrants, aged between 20 and 23, were reportedly being smuggled into Zambia with the intention of traveling to Kapiri Mposhi, en route to South Africa.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the truck, owned by Imperial Investments Limited, a company based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was originally destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The vehicle has since been impounded, and the two Tanzanian nationals remain in custody at Isoka Police Station, pending formal arrest.
The Department of Immigration intends to charge them with aiding and abetting illegal migration, while the Ethiopian nationals will face charges of illegal entry.
The Agency