NAIROBI, Kenya- In a bizarre turn of events straight out of a comedy sketch, a drunken detective in Zambia allegedly released 13 suspects from custody on New Year’s Eve so they could “cross over into the new year.”
The officer, Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, reportedly fled the scene after his unconventional gesture of goodwill, leaving authorities scrambling to recapture the escapees.
Zambian police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga revealed that Detective Phiri, “in a state of intoxication,” forcibly seized cell keys from a fellow officer before releasing the suspects from Leonard Cheelo Police Station in Lusaka.
Among the freed detainees were individuals accused of serious crimes, including robbery and assault.
“Out of the 15 suspects in custody, 13 escaped,” Hamoonga said, adding that a manhunt is now underway to apprehend them.
The detective’s alleged actions have drawn both laughter and outrage. While some find humor in the situation, others highlight the risks posed by letting potentially dangerous individuals roam free.
This isn’t the first time Zambia has seen controversial decisions involving detainees. Former presidential spokesperson Dickson Jere reminisced about a similar episode in 1997 when High Court Judge Kabazo Chanda ordered the release of 53 suspects who had been held without trial since 1992. The judge famously declared, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Although Judge Chanda’s actions stemmed from frustration with systemic delays, Detective Phiri’s case appears more impulsive—and intoxicated. Yet both incidents raise questions about the balance between justice, due process, and accountability.
Detective Phiri’s actions have thrown a spotlight on police conduct in Zambia, sparking debates about oversight and professionalism within the force. With the escapees still on the run, critics argue this incident highlights a broader issue of accountability.
Phiri himself has not commented on the allegations, but his actions have quickly become a topic of public discourse.
Social media users and commentators are divided, with some seeing it as a laughable blunder and others calling for stricter reforms within the police system.
