The Department of Immigration has successfully removed 76 male Ethiopian nationals, aged between 15 and 29 years, from Zambia for violating immigration laws.
Immigration Chief Public Relations Officer Namati H. Nshinka said the majority of those removed either paid court fines or served prison terms following arrests and prosecutions for illegal entry and unlawful stay in Lusaka, Muchinga, and Central Provinces and that some, particularly juveniles, were not prosecuted due to their age.
Speaking to One Love Radio news, Mr. Nshinka mentioned that the group was removed on Saturday, 1st February 2025, at approximately 02:00 hours, aboard Ethiopian Airlines from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
“The removals are part of ongoing efforts to rid the country of illegal immigrants,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nshinka said the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office on 31st January, 2025 removed 22 prohibited immigrants from the country.
“These were 20 Burundian nationals, one Tanzanian and one Ugandan,” Mr. Nshinka said.
He noted that the two removal exercises brought the number of removals effected between 30th January and 2nd February, 2025 across the country to 124.
Further, Mr. Nshinka said between 30th January and 2nd February, 2025, the Department of Immigration apprehended 95 individuals of various nationalities across the country for different immigration offences.
“The Department secured 33 convictions and refused six foreign nationals entry for failing to meet the necessary entry requirements,” he added.
Mr. Nhinka has since urged all foreign nationals to comply with Zambia’s immigration laws and regulations, reminding that those found in violation will feel the full force of the Law.