Immigration apprehends 10 Ethiopians in Kazungula

The Department of Immigration in Kazungula has apprehended 10 Ethiopian nationals in an intelligence-led operation conducted in the Highlands area of Kazungula District.

Chief Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka says the operation began late Saturday night, August eighth, and initially led to the apprehension of three Ethiopian males.

Mr Nshinka says three Zambian males suspected of facilitating the movement of the Ethiopians towards the Zambezi River, together with other Ethiopian nationals, managed to escape.

He says a follow-up operation conducted early Sunday morning resulted in the apprehension of seven more Ethiopian nationals, bringing the total to 10.

Mr Nshinka says seven of those apprehended had valid Ethiopian passports, one had an Ethiopian identification card, while two were undocumented.

He says investigations have since been instituted to establish their immigration status and identify suspected facilitators.

Meanwhile, 212 Congolese refugees have been voluntarily repatriated from Mantapala Refugee Settlement through the Chipungu Immigration Office.

The repatriation was conducted under the ongoing voluntary repatriation exercise coordinated by the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees.