ONE suspect believed to have been terrorising Levy Mwanawasa Medical University students in PHI and surrounding areas has finally been cornered after briefly enjoying a criminal free run in boarding houses at night.
Specialized in relieving students, who are busy trying to become doctors and nurses, of laptops and mobile phones while they slept, his luck eventually ran out.
Police quickly picked him up and offered him free accommodation at a police cell.
Delivering a Ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu confirmed the arrest, saying the suspect is now helping police with investigations.
“The Zambia Police Service has apprehended one suspect in connection with the reported criminal incidents,” Mwiimbu said.
“The suspect is currently in lawful police custody, and investigations are ongoing.”
The arrested criminal is believed to be linked to a series of burglary and theft cases targeting students living in off-campus boarding houses in PHI and nearby areas.
The Minister said between 2024 and 2026, eight cases of burglary and theft were recorded involving Levy Mwanawasa Medical University students, with six of those happening between January and April 2026 alone.
The stolen items included laptops and mobile phones valued at about K48,000, with all victims being female students who were attacked during the night.
Following growing fears, students staged a protest on April Sunday along Great East Road, blocking traffic as they demanded urgent government intervention over insecurity in their boarding houses.
In response, government has now intensified 24-hour police patrols in PHI, Mtendere, Kalingalinga, Helen Kaunda and surrounding areas.
Authorities have also deployed additional vehicles through the Gender Division to improve police mobility and response time.
Some students are being relocated to former Levy Mwanawasa Medical University office premises, which are being converted into more secure boarding facilities.
Police have further deployed plain-clothed officers in high-risk areas to monitor criminal activity, while community policing and student safety campaigns have been strengthened.
Mwiimbu said two mobile phones and one laptop worth K17,500 have already been recovered from the criminal, with investigations continuing to determine if he was acting alone or had accomplices.
By George Musonda
Kalemba April 23, 2026
