Stepd ad chases dad who abducted biological son, Police find voter’s card at scene
A STEPFATHER’S relentless pursuit of four men who allegedly snatched his nine-year-old son forced the suspected abductors to abandon both the vehicle they were using and the child, bringing a terrifying ordeal to a dramatic end.
The incident happened on the night of August 1 in Mumbwa District, where a quick-thinking father’s determination is believed to have foiled what could have been a tragic abduction.
Police have since confirmed the rescue of nine-year-old Messiah Kitumbo, a Grade One pupil at Nambala Primary School, who was allegedly abducted from his home in Nambala area.
According to Central Province Police Commanding Officer Lemekani Chirwa, the incident occurred around 19:00 hours in Moono area.
The matter was reported by the child’s mother, Elizabeth Jere, 29, who told police that unknown people had taken her son.
Chirwa says, Jere and her husband, Richard Kapandula, had gone into the house with their five children. Later that evening, at around 20:00 hours, the couple retired to bed while four of the children remained in the sitting room watching television.
Messiah reportedly stepped outside to use a toilet located about 10 metres from the house.
As he made his way back, he was allegedly confronted by four men. One of the suspects reportedly claimed to be the boy’s father before the group forcibly bundled him into a grey minibus, registration number BAX 2930, and sped away.
Moments later, Kapandula heard the child crying for help and immediately gave chase, refusing to let the vehicle disappear into the night.
The father’s pursuit is believed to have unsettled the suspects, who later abandoned the minibus at Mumbwa Junction with the frightened boy still inside before fleeing the scene.
He says his officers who responded swiftly recovered the vehicle and safely rescued the child.
A search of the abandoned minibus led to the recovery of a small axe, a Samsung ZIP mobile phone and a voter’s card bearing the name Vincent Kitumbo, who is the child’s biological father.
Central Province Police Commanding Officer Lemekani Chirwa confirmed the incident, saying the boy was safely reunited with his family.
Chirwa added that the vehicle and the recovered items have been impounded at Mumbwa Police Station as investigations continue.
He says no arrests have been made so far.
©TV Yatu | Noel Iyombwa | August 3, 2026.