Police say Chingola ‘abduction’ was staged by 19-year-old to mislead mother
Breaking News Zambia
NewsTHE Zambia Police Service says investigations into reports circulating on social media about the alleged abduction of 19-year-old Taonga Banda Mumba in Chingola District have established that the incident did not occur as initially reported. Police Public Relations Officer Chipo Kaitisha said in a statement that investigations revealed the alleged abduction was reportedly initiated by
Audio article Listen to this story Share Send this storyTHE Zambia Police Service says investigations into reports circulating on social media about the alleged abduction of 19-year-old Taonga Banda Mumba in Chingola District have established that the incident did not occur as initially reported.
Police Public Relations Officer Chipo Kaitisha said in a statement that investigations revealed the alleged abduction was reportedly initiated by the purported victim herself in an attempt to mislead her mother into believing she had been abducted.
Preliminary investigations indicate that Taonga, a resident of Matero Township in Lusaka, met 21-year-old Joseph Ferguson of Minsenga Compound in Chingola District through Facebook in September 2026. The two subsequently developed a romantic relationship.
During their interactions, Taonga informed her boyfriend that she had a grandmother, identified as Dyness Nyirenda, who resides in Chingola.
On 1st November 2026, Taonga travelled from Lusaka to Chingola, purportedly to visit her grandmother. However, investigations established that her actual intention was to meet her boyfriend, Joseph Ferguson.
Following their meeting, Taonga allegedly sent a text message to her mother, Phides Nyirenda, claiming that she had been abducted by unknown male persons.
The alleged abduction was subsequently reported at Riverside Police Post, prompting police investigations.
However, through investigative leads and information obtained from mobile phone service providers, police officers successfully traced and located Taonga and Joseph in Minsenga Compound, where they were reportedly staying together.
The two have since been apprehended and detained in police custody for conduct likely to cause a breach of peace as investigations continue.
Police have reassured the public that investigations have established that the reported abduction did not take place.
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