Zambia has deported 138 illegal immigrants following a nationwide enforcement operation conducted between February 28 and March 2, 2026.
According to the Zambia Department of Immigration, the operation targeted foreign nationals found to be staying in the country unlawfully.
Speaking on Tuesday, Chief Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka confirmed that a total of 138 individuals were removed during the exercise.
“During this operation, a total of one hundred and thirty-eight illegal immigrants were removed from the country,” Nshinka said.
Those deported comprised 122 nationals from Burundi, six from Rwanda, five from Tanzania, three from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and two from Uganda.
Nshinka explained that the majority of those removed had earlier been apprehended during a clean-up operation carried out in Lusaka on February 15. During that exercise, 110 people were detained for various immigration offences. Some of the suspects paid court-imposed fines, while others were removed from the country without prosecution in line with the law.
In a related development, immigration officers in Nakonde on March 1 apprehended a 26-year-old Burundian national, Erick Irankunda, for unlawful return to Zambia. Irankunda was among those previously deported but was intercepted at a checkpoint aboard a Lusaka-bound Peace Soldier bus after allegedly re-entering the country just hours after his removal.
Nshinka said Irankunda is currently detained at Nakonde Police Station and has been formally charged with unlawful return. He had initially been arrested during the February 15 Lusaka operation for unlawful entry and stay.
The Department has warned that unlawful return to Zambia after removal or deportation is a serious offence under the Immigration and Deportation Act, Chapter 123 of the Laws of Zambia, and carries stiff penalties.
Nshinka urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of illegal immigration to the nearest immigration office as authorities continue to enforce immigration laws across the country.
