The Department of Immigration in Zambia has detained 283 suspected illegal immigrants of various nationalities pending further screening and prosecution.

This follows a clean-up operation conducted on 4th September 2024 in different parts of Lusaka.

The operation was carried out in conjunction with the Zambia Police, Drug Enforcement Commission, and National Anti-Terrorism Centre.

Initially, 357 individuals were apprehended during the operation, which began at 05:00 hours.

The detainees included 207 Burundians, 61 individuals claiming to be Zambian citizens, 53 Congolese, 10 Rwandese, six Tanzanians, and four Malawians.

Additionally, two Eritreans, two Indians, two Zimbabweans, one Egyptian, one Lebanese, and one Pakistani were detained.

After preliminary screening at Edwin Imboela Stadium, 68 individuals, the majority of whom were Zambians, were released unconditionally.

Six individuals were asked to report to Immigration Offices for further formalities, while two Zambians apprehended for drug-related offenses were handed over to the Drug Enforcement Commission.

The Department also secured 40 bicycles that were abandoned by their owners who fled upon seeing the Law Enforcement Officers.

Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati H. Nshinka confirmed the development in Lusaka today.