A NINETEEN-year-old boy of Nchelenge has been detained for wearing camouflage attire and posing as a marine from the Zambia Army.
Josephat Mwenya, who was found with two other persons, was apprehended in the night by villagers after the three went round demanding for National Registration Cards (NRCs) from people, claiming they were Zambia Army marines.
Luapula Province Police chief, Hudson Namachila said Mwenya was apprehended in Mutiwanama Village in Chief Kambwali’s area around midnight on Tuesday.
Mr Namachila said Mwenya was found with two other men when together they went on a rampage as they moved from one house to another demanding for NRCs and money while masquerading as marine soldiers.
He said the culprit and his accomplices were dressed in a camouflage pair of trousers bought from second-hand clothes dealers.
Mwenya was overpowered and apprehended by the villagers while his friends managed to run away.
The provincial Police chief said investigations had been instituted to ensure that the other two culprits were brought to book.
Mr Namachila said it was regrettable that few bad elements were perpetrating crime in the area under the guise of being marine personnel stationed in Nchelenge District.
He urged members of the general public to be alert and report any suspicious people to the Police.
President Edgar Lungu in July this year launched the 48 Marine Unit in Nchelenge District in Luapula Province to enhance border security on Zambia’s water fronts.—ZANIS