President Hakainde Hichilema was yesterday forced to cut short his address in Chingola District on the Copperbelt Province after security concerns emerged when a riot broke out during his engagement with residents at Chiwempala Market.

According to a statement issued by the Zambia Police Service, the incident occurred around 14:50 hours when a group of unruly individuals began looting and attacking shops as the Head of State was still addressing the public. Police officers moved in to restore order, but the situation quickly escalated, forcing security personnel to evacuate President Hichilema from the scene to safety.

“For security reasons, the President was safely whisked away and escorted to the landing pad at Chikola Secondary School grounds,” Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said in the statement. “However, the violent mob followed the Presidential motorcade, throwing stones at vehicles.”

In the chaos that followed, a police motor vehicle was attacked, overturned, and set ablaze by the rioters. Superintendent Lloyd Kanondo, the officer driving the vehicle, discharged ten rounds of pistol ammunition into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd, but the mob remained defiant.

Police have since arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.

Hamoonga said calm has since been restored in Chingola, with intensified police patrols to maintain law and order. He warned members of the public against engaging in acts of violence, vandalism, or destruction of property, especially during high-profile national events.

“The Zambia Police Service sternly warns members of the public that such behavior is criminal and will be met with the full force of the law,” he said. “Maintaining peace and order is a collective responsibility, and violence only undermines development efforts and endangers lives.”

President Hichilema later proceeded to Kitwe, where he watched the highly anticipated Kitwe Derby between Nkana FC and Power Dynamos FC at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.