A 19-year-old woman from Lusaka and her 21-year-old boyfriend have been apprehended and detained by police in Chingola after the woman allegedly fabricated an abduction story to deceive her mother.
Zambia Police Service Spokesperson Chipo Kaitisha said investigations had established that Taonga Banda Mumba allegedly staged the abduction after travelling from Lusaka to meet her boyfriend, Joseph Ferguson, in Chingola.
According to Ms Kaitisha, the two reportedly met through Facebook in September 2026 before developing a romantic relationship.
On November 1, 2026, Taonga allegedly travelled from Lusaka to Chingola, telling her family that she was going to visit her grandmother, Dyness Nyirenda. However, police investigations established that her actual intention was to meet Ferguson.
After meeting her boyfriend, Taonga allegedly sent a text message to her mother, Phides Nyirenda, claiming that she had been abducted by unknown men.
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The alleged abduction was subsequently reported at Riverside Police Post, prompting police investigations into the matter.
Ms Kaitisha said officers followed up the report and eventually traced and located the two at Minsenga Compound in Chingola, where they were reportedly staying together.
Taonga and Ferguson have since been apprehended and detained in police custody for conduct likely to cause a breach of peace as investigations continue.
Following the incident, the Zambia Police Service has urged parents and guardians to maintain open communication with their children, monitor their movements and take an active interest in their social interactions.
Police have particularly highlighted the need for parents to understand relationships developed through social media platforms, where young people increasingly meet and interact.
Ms Kaitisha has also cautioned members of the public against sharing unverified information on social media, warning that false reports can create unnecessary public alarm and panic.
She encouraged anyone with information about suspected incidents to report them to the nearest police station and allow law enforcement officers to establish the facts before circulating allegations.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before sharing it, particularly reports involving alleged criminal incidents that can cause fear and anxiety among families and communities.
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