WARNING ON FALSE ABDUCTION CLAIMS
October 8, 2024-The Zambia Police Service wishes to inform the public of a recent development regarding the alleged abduction of Tumiya Nachivula, aged 19, as reported at Chilenje Police Station on October 5, 2024 by her elder sister, Monica Makasa. Ms. Nachivula was reported missing and believed to have been abducted between 09:00 hours and 10:48 hours on the same day. She was also widely published on social media as having been abducted.
Following an intensive investigation, the Police, with the support of ZICTA, tracked the believed location of the alleged abductee to Chongwe District. However, attempts to trace her in the area proved unsuccessful due to her phone being switched off. At approximately 2200 hours on October 7, 2024, Ms. Nachivula returned to her father’s residence in Chilenje and was taken to the Police Station.
During questioning, it was revealed that the abduction was fabricated, and Ms. Nachivula had willingly left to her boyfriend, Joel Saili, aged 20, of Libala South who happens to be student at Chalimbana University living in a rented boarding house near the University in Chongwe. Both individuals have been detained in custody waiting to be formally charged and arrested.
The Zambia Police would like to issue a stern warning to individuals who may want to engage in similar activities under false pretenses. Falsely claiming abduction not only wastes valuable police resources but also causes unnecessary panic among the public. These actions are taken seriously, and anyone found to be deliberately misleading the police will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
We urge all citizens to act responsibly and report only genuine cases to the Police. The public is reminded that the Zambia Police Service remains committed to protecting the safety and security of all citizens, and any abuse of this trust will not be tolerated.
Rae Hamoonga
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
