An intoxicated policeman identified as Detective inspector Titus Phiri in Zambia on New Year’s day released over 13 suspects from custody so that they could go and join the celebration.
The officer was arrested after releasing the suspects from Leonard Cheelo police station in the capital, Lusaka, before running away himself.
According to BBC reports, the detainees were arrested over crimes ranging from assault, robbery and burglary, and are all currently on the run, even as a manhunt has been launched to find them.
Speaking about the development, Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said that Mr Phiri, “in a state of intoxication, forcibly seized cell keys” from constable Serah Banda on New Year’s Eve.
“Subsequently, detective inspector Phiri unlocked both the male and female cells and instructed the suspects to leave, stating they were free to cross over into the new year,” he said.
“Out of the 15 suspects in custody, 13 escaped. Following the incident, the officer fled the scene.”
In 1997, a similar case happened after a High Court Judge, Kabazo Chanda ordered the release of 53 suspects, some of whom were deemed dangerous by the police.
Chanda’s decision came after the suspects were said to be arrested as long ago as 1992, but had not yet appeared in court.
Phiri has since been arrested but is yet to comment on the allegations.