Tanzanian politician's lawyers ask UN to declare his detention arbitrary
Zambian army deployed to stop ‘gas attacks’
8:35 CAT | 17 Feb 2020
Photo: BBC
Zambia’s president has deployed the army to help stop a spate of gas attacks that have spread across the country over the last two months causing panic.
Police have been unable to catch those who have been targeting homes and schools by spraying victims with a gas that leaves them unconscious.
A suspect interrogated on video by those who caught him said the attackers wanted to draw blood in syringes from those who had passed out.
It is not clear what gas is being used in the attacks, which have been happening during the day and at night. Theft of valuables does appear to be the motive as no items have been taken by the perpetrators.
There has been speculation that the blood is being taken for use in rituals such as those that claim to bring good luck or wealth. Belief in such witchcraft is widespread and there is concern that it is on the increase in the run-up to elections, which are scheduled to take place in Zambia next year.
The attacks have sparked riots in the capital, Lusaka, where people are angry that police have failed to stop them.
On Thursday night, President Edgar Lungu said that the country was “under siege, but I am in control”.
“I am directing the Zambian army to join the police in stopping what is happening in the country,” Mr Lungu is quoted as saying by the state-owned Zambia Daily Mail newspaper.
He also announced a bounty of $17,000 (£13,000) for information leading to the arrest of culprits.
Several people have been killed in separate incidents over suspicion that they were involved in gas attacks and police stations have been attacked by angry mobs.
Overnight, at least one other gas attack was reported – students from Eden University were targeted, according to the police they were sprayed with a chemical substance, at a boarding house in the capital. Eleven of them have been given medical treatment.
Source: BBC
Show comments
Also read
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.