Metro

Zambian police gun down ‘most wanted’ murder suspect while attempting to escape from custody

Published

7 months ago

April 5, 2024

A notorious murder suspect who was on the Zambian police’s “most wanted’ list has been gunned down while attempting to escape from custody.

Nationam Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga, who confirmed the incident, said the now deceased suspect, Blessings Mwape, was a significant figure on police most-wanted list for his alleged involvement in various crimes targeting Rwandan and Burundi nationals.

The police spokesman said the 27-year-old Mwape was was in police custody in Kanyama province facing charges including murder and aggravated robbery among others, when he attempted to stage an audacious but was shot dead by the police.

Hamoonga stated that Mwape was leading officers to recover a pistol and stolen phones associated with his criminal activities at the time of his escape.

“Mwape was cooperating with officers, leading them to potential recovery sites,” Hamoonga said in a statement.

“However, during this process, he attempted to flee, prompting officers to issue verbal warnings and subsequently resort to firing warning shots.”

The police image maker said despite the warnings, the suspect continued his escape bid and was unfortunately struck by gunfire rendering him unconscious.

“Efforts were immediately made to provide medical attention and he was swiftly transported to the University Teaching Hospital where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel upon arrival,” Hamoonga said.

He added that the deceased suspect was implicated in several criminal cases including a murder case reported on March 8, 2024 involving the death of one Vincent Chota Masuwa.

Hamoonga further stated that “Mwape was also involved in aggravated robbery cases reported on March 11 and March 12 , 2024, by Henry Heritier Nuyonkuru, and Liberty Ndaisenga respectively”, and was also facing charges of malicious damage to property involving Brendah Phiri.

“During the investigation process, items such as a machete, a knife, and a toy pistol allegedly used by the suspect in the commission of these crimes were recovered,” Hamoonga said.

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Metro

EU launches initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria

Published

5 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The European Union (EU) has launched an initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in the northwestern parts of the country.

Mrs. Tobi Ransomed, who is the consortium lead, disclosed this during the launching of the “Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth in North West Nigeria Program” (ABEP), held in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, on Thursday.

While declaring the event open, Ransomed noted that the high rate of out-of-school children in the region required a holistic approach from all relevant stakeholders to ensure these children reached their potential.

Speaking further, she said the ABEP three-year pilot program would be implemented through Save the Children International, PLAN, and Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAG) across twelve local government areas in Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States.

“Data from Save the Children International (SCI), has shown that 10% of the world’s out-of-school children are in Nigeria, with over 10 million primary school-age children not in school. Approximately 25% of girls and 10% of boys in the country have been victims of sexual violence,” she stated.

“The program aims to increase access to safe, quality, and inclusive alternative and accelerated education programs for 324,000 young girls and boys, as well as 32,400 persons with disabilities, supporting their transition into formal or non-formal education.

“This project plans to increase access to livelihood opportunities, vocational education, and green job opportunities for 60,000 youths and 6,000 persons with disabilities, with 20,000 beneficiaries in each participating state.

“The overall objective is to contribute to the empowerment of the poorest, underserved, and most marginalized population groups, including women, girls, and youth, by providing access to quality, inclusive, gender-sensitive, and conflict-sensitive education in northwestern Nigeria with a special focus on Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States,” she stated.

Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

24 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.