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IG GRAPHAEL MUSAMBA MAY FALL ON OWN POLITICAL SWORD – UKA warns the Zambian Police Chief
Mr Graphael Musamba could be setting himself to go down as the most partisan Chief of Police in the entire history of policing in Zambia.
The main reason for our concern that Mr Musamba’s ending could be dire is because of how he has openly and publicly curtailed the ability of Zambians to freely assemble and express or mobilise themselves.
It is doubly sad at a time like now when we (Zambians) should be discussing looming exponentially high costs of fuel, electricity and runaway mealie meal prices, we also have to discuss a ´trigger happy´ top cop. He certainly has presented himself as the most openly partisan and heavy-handed Chief of Police, Zambia has ever had since 1964.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE UKA’S MUSAMBA CONCERNS IN POLICING?
Let us look at the litany of Constitutional breaches by Mr Musamba, so that we are not mistaken for sowing ‘sour grapes or bitter.´ Which is common from the ruling UPND, regarding anyone that holds them to account:
1. Mr Musamba has transformed the Zambia Police from being a Police Service into being a Police Force.
2. Mr Musamba’s partisan inclination and abuse of public office made him to deploy state security to protect illegalities in the holding of a fake Conventions for the PF as well as the NDC in Lusaka and Kabwe, respectively.
3. Mr Musamba has orchestrated conduct that is reminiscent of Pre-independence Policing were Zambians were treated like animals without any consideration for human rights.
4. Mr Musamba’s police force have orchestrated the kidnapping of opposition political leaders like Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba and Mr Rizwani Patel.
5. Mr Musamba continues to abuse his office by stopping opposition political parties from freely mobilizing rallies, a clear breach of their Constitutional rights. The PF, the CF and SP have all been casualties to his heavy handedness.
6. Mr Musamba deployed gun wielding blood thirst police officers to disrupt and apprehend Mr. Kasonde Mwenda who was holding a press conference.
7. Mr Musamba recently had a youth arrested who wanted to protest with his friends against the ever-increasing biting cost of living that has seen prices of the staple food maize teeter close to K400 per 25kg bag 64% of Zambians cannot afford.
8. Mr Musamba has made statements that on his watch “opposition parties will never hold public rallies” against Constitutional provisions that allow them to freely assemble or associate.
9. Mr Musamba has continued to preside over the Zambia Police Force that has recorded the highest number of arrests of opposition political leaders on flimsy charges and in some cases with no charges at all.
10. Mr Musamba’s police officers broke into Patriot for Economic Progress, PeP’s, Leader’s home Mr Sean Tembo. Clearly engaging in criminal activities on the pretext of effecting an arrest.
11. Mr Musamba’s police force arrested a pastor in Kitwe for speaking against the demolishing of shops at Chisokone market.
12. Mr Musamba’s police force attempted to rip apart the gate to the home of the 6th President of Zambia using a grinder.
13. Mr Musamba’s police force arrested a caller in Kabwe who differed with the Kabwe District Commissioner on the high cost of living.
14. Mr Musamba’s police force assaulted Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba and Mr Chilufya Tayali, among others.
15. Mr. Musamba’s callous police force followed a then sick Ms.Edith Zewelani Nawakwi, President of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) to the hospital and wanted to arrest her from her sick bed.
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF MR MUSAMBA´S HEAVY HANDEDNESS ON ZAMBIA’S DEMOCRACY?
While the above enumeration is not exhaustive, it presents sufficient evidence that the Republican President Mr Hakainde Hichilema is complicit in the activities that Mr Musamba has been orchestrating. It is our profound view that a President who means well for his country’s image at home and abroad would allow his Inspector General of Police to continue abusing the law with impunity.
If this man is left unchecked and allowed to continue on this trajectory, Zambia’s Democratic credentials will be obliterated and we can only have Mr. Hakainde Hichilema to blame for that. UKA would, therefore, like to call upon Zambians not to succumb to the whims of those who seek to suppress our human rights and turn this nation into a pariah of demagoguery.
Mr Musamba must never take Zambians’ kind heartedness to be a sign of weakness… On the contrary, they have proven to be forceful and usually take a strong stand to kick out any dictatorial tendencies just as they did against the founding President of our Republic Dr. Kaunda’s one party state.
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF ZAMBIANS TO FIGHT FOR THEIR DEMOCRACY.
WHERE IS THE WESTERN DONOR COMMUNITY AS ABUSES RISE?
Our concern as UKA is the continued silence of our Western dignitaries who have been champions of the rule of law. Other than the US Ambassador’s voice on corruption, we have noticed, with interest, the laud silence of the other diplomats accredited to Zambia.
They have elected to be “innocent bystanders” while Mr. Hakainde Hichilema continues to obliterate the institutions of governance. The people of Zambia are watching and as UKA we are following this with keen interest.
We feel it is a timely caution to our development partners to disengage and put the interests of Zambia and Zambians at heart than risk being an attribution to the tyrannical rule of Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s regime that will be stopped on August, 12 2026.
We call upon President Hichilema to stop Mr Musamba, a known UPND IG and appoint an impartial non partisan IG as he starts to prepare for a peaceful exit and if his legacy is to be appreciated, otherwise he risks going down as a failed President.
Jackson Silavwe
Chairperson Commmuications
United Kwacha Alliance
(UKA)
The Nigeria Police Force has announced the suspension of four officers accused of misappropriating N43.16 million from a total of N74.95 million recovered during an unauthorized operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The officers—DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to Zone 7 Headquarters—were implicated in a case involving the arrest of Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting cash for clients in August 2023.
Investigations revealed that while the officers initially reported N31.79 million as the recovered sum, they concealed the remaining N43.16 million. This prompted the owners of the funds to file a petition, escalating the matter to the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit.
Findings and Allegations
Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed that investigations uncovered a conspiracy among the officers to steal part of the recovered funds. Key revelations include:
The officers photographed the suspect and the money during the arrest but later claimed their device was damaged to hide evidence.
They allegedly transported the missing cash out of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to conceal it.
Attempts were made to mislead the investigation by claiming technical issues and disseminating false narratives to media outlets.
Adejobi stated, “These officers conspired to steal part of the money amounting to N43.16 million, attempting to cover their tracks through misinformation and corruption.”
The four officers have been suspended for gross misconduct, tampering with evidence, abuse of office, corrupt practices, and unprofessional behavior. Following due legal and administrative procedures, they are set to face prosecution.
The police force also dismissed allegations suggesting that Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun was protecting a cartel involved in smuggling banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Adejobi condemned these claims as part of a “sponsored misinformation campaign,” emphasizing that such narratives are attempts to distract from the criminal acts of the officers involved. He reiterated the force’s commitment to accountability and professionalism under the current administration’s reform agenda.
The police urged the public and media outlets to avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing reforms aimed at eliminating corruption and restoring trust in the force.
This case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement, as the officers await trial for their alleged misconduct.
Fire Incidents in Kano Claim Three Lives, Cause Over N132.4m in Damages
The Kano State Fire Service has reported that three lives were lost and properties worth over N132,450,000 destroyed in various fire incidents across the state during November. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the service’s spokesman, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, provided an overview of the service’s operations for the month. According to the statement, fire […] Continue reading here ▶ Police Hunt for Suspected Killers of Security Guard in Ogun State
The Ogun State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected armed robbers responsible for the murder of a security guard in the Ologede community, Atan area of Ogun State. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, responding to inquiries from journalists. Reports indicate that the armed robbers attacked a […] Continue reading here ▶ Smugglers attempt to transport cigarettes using an Armaguard vehicle.
The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has uncovered a smuggling operation involving 23 boxes of cigarettes transported in an Armaguard vehicle. The illegal activity was intercepted when ZRA officials impounded the vehicle as it attempted to smuggle the cigarettes from Kazungula to Livingstone, with plans to transport them onward to Lusaka. The seized goods, imported from […] Continue reading here ▶ A truck carrying fertilizer lost control this morning and hit into the George Kunda Toll Gate on the Great North Road in Mkushi District, injuring a toll gate operator
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the accident occurred when the truck, traveling west to east, lost control due to excessive speed and hit the toll gate booth. He said Dimas Yombwe, 36, who was inside the booth at the time, sustained a deep cut on his head, a suspected fractured left shoulder, painful legs, and […] Continue reading here ▶ Father dies holding his child in tragic road accident _ Zambian PoliceA 37-year-old man from Chinsali has died in an accident while crossing the road, holding his three-month-old child in his arms. The accident occurred when the driver of a Toyota Mark-II hit Bruce Mweya, who was crossing the road with his child. The incident happened on Nambuluma Road in the Kazembo area. Muchinga Province Police […] Continue reading here ▶
The Kano State Fire Service has reported that three lives were lost and properties worth over N132,450,000 destroyed in various fire incidents across the state during November.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the service’s spokesman, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, provided an overview of the service’s operations for the month. According to the statement, fire personnel responded to 43 fire emergencies and successfully rescued three individuals.
Additionally, the fire service saved properties valued at approximately N310,600,000 during their operations. However, they also handled six false alarms and responded to five rescue calls.
The emergency responses came from the service’s 29 fire stations located throughout Kano State.
Highlighting the need for public vigilance, Abdullahi urged residents to handle fire responsibly, especially during the dry harmattan season, to prevent further fire outbreaks.
He also cautioned motorists to adhere to traffic rules and drive carefully, particularly during the Christmas season, to minimize the risk of road accidents.
“The general public must exercise caution with fire to avoid incidents during this harmattan period. Motorists should also drive carefully and observe traffic regulations, especially during holiday travels,” Abdullahi emphasized.
The Kano State Fire Service remains committed to safeguarding lives and property while encouraging the public to adopt safety measures to reduce fire-related incidents.
The Ogun State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected armed robbers responsible for the murder of a security guard in the Ologede community, Atan area of Ogun State.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, responding to inquiries from journalists.
Reports indicate that the armed robbers attacked a mini car park in the area during a late-night raid. The guard, who had been recently employed to secure the premises, was brutally killed, with his body discovered tied up and bearing severe injuries.
A food vendor operating on the premises reportedly found the lifeless body of the guard the following morning and raised the alarm, drawing the attention of community members. It was also discovered that a truck parked at the facility had been stolen during the invasion.
A resident of the area, speaking anonymously, described the park as a former mechanic workshop turned car park. The resident added that the guard was a familiar face in the community before being hired by the park’s owner to safeguard the facility.
“The robbers killed the guard, hacking him and tying him in a corner. A food vendor who came to the premises early in the morning found his body and raised the alarm. When the park owner arrived, it was confirmed that a truck parked there had been stolen,” the resident explained.
Police officers from the Atan division were alerted and arrived at the scene, transferring the body to Ilaro General Hospital Morgue.
Odutola stated that the chairman of Ologede Village reported the incident to the police, leading to the dispatch of detectives to the scene.
“On 28th November 2024, around 6:00 a.m., the chairman of Ologede Village informed the police about the discovery of a corpse, estimated to be about 40 years old, lying in a pool of blood near the community’s entrance. The victim had severe head injuries, suggesting a possible case of murder and armed robbery,” she said.
The police have commenced a preliminary investigation and assured the public that efforts are underway to track and apprehend the suspects responsible for the heinous crime.
“Investigations are ongoing, and we are committed to bringing those involved to justice,” Odutola concluded.
Four Suspended Police Officers to Stand Trial for Alleged N43m Theft
The Nigeria Police Force has announced the suspension of four officers accused of misappropriating N43.16 million from a total of N74.95 million recovered during an unauthorized operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The officers—DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to Zone 7 Headquarters—were implicated […] Continue reading here ▶ Fire Incidents in Kano Claim Three Lives, Cause Over N132.4m in DamagesThe Kano State Fire Service has reported that three lives were lost and properties worth over N132,450,000 destroyed in various fire incidents across the state during November. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the service’s spokesman, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, provided an overview of the service’s operations for the month. According to the statement, fire […] Continue reading here ▶ Smugglers attempt to transport cigarettes using an Armaguard vehicle.The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has uncovered a smuggling operation involving 23 boxes of cigarettes transported in an Armaguard vehicle. The illegal activity was intercepted when ZRA officials impounded the vehicle as it attempted to smuggle the cigarettes from Kazungula to Livingstone, with plans to transport them onward to Lusaka. The seized goods, imported from […] Continue reading here ▶ A truck carrying fertilizer lost control this morning and hit into the George Kunda Toll Gate on the Great North Road in Mkushi District, injuring a toll gate operatorPolice spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the accident occurred when the truck, traveling west to east, lost control due to excessive speed and hit the toll gate booth. He said Dimas Yombwe, 36, who was inside the booth at the time, sustained a deep cut on his head, a suspected fractured left shoulder, painful legs, and […] Continue reading here ▶ Father dies holding his child in tragic road accident _ Zambian PoliceA 37-year-old man from Chinsali has died in an accident while crossing the road, holding his three-month-old child in his arms. The accident occurred when the driver of a Toyota Mark-II hit Bruce Mweya, who was crossing the road with his child. The incident happened on Nambuluma Road in the Kazembo area. Muchinga Province Police […] Continue reading here ▶
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