ZAMBIA – Police in Zambia are keeping in custody Abdul Awath, 19, for escaping custody after striking an officer in charge with guarding him when the suspect went to the toilet early morning.

Awath splashed the face of Police Constable Anthony Wanjau with faeces and disappeared to an unknown destination.

Reports indicate that the suspect, who was arrested for assault, had earlier Monday begged to be allowed to visit the toilet. Wanjau, who was on duty, offered to escort him to the toilet.

However, while in the toilet, the suspect took a long time to come out, prompting Wanjau to knock and ask whether the suspect was okay.

“The prisoner, thereafter, opened the toilet door and smeared the officer’s face with his faeces. He had put the faeces in a bottle of water. After committing the act, he ran away,” reads a part of a report of the incident filed at the Bura Police Station.

Police Constable Wanjau tried to run after Awath, but the detainee exceeded him.

The suspect had been charged with assault and was to be produced in court for a mention of his case on December 10, 2020.