Two armed robbers have been shot dead in the capital Lilongwe after a shoot-out with the police.

Central Region Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Nolliettie Chihana confirmed of the development in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA).

According to Chihana, Police received a tip off that some people were planning to break into a Chinese shop within Lilongwe and using this information, the Central Region Police Criminal Investigations Department (Namulondola) team started pursuing the matter.

“In the midst of enquiries around the city the Namulondola team found two suspicious people who matched the description from the collected intelligence information, waiting for a lift at Area 24 junction.

“When the two saw that they were surrounded by police, one of them pulled out a pistol from his waist and started firing at the officers. The officers retaliated and shot back at them,” said Chihana.

She said after being shot, the suspects were rushed to Kamuzu Central Hospital for medical attention where they were pronounced dead upon arrival.

Chihana said police recovered a pistol model 85 Luger, serial number C1722 and three (3) 9mm live ammunitions plus one empty cartilage from the suspected criminals.