Illegal Mining Threatens Security

 

Military Operations Target Criminal Networks; Urban Gangs threatening Zambia’s Peace

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 
Lusaka, Zambia24  --- 25-01-2026

Action Institute for Policy Analysis Centre (AIPAC) has affirmed the deployment of the Zambia Army to tackle the growing threats posed by illegal mining and violent urban gangs to Zambia’s national security.

AIPAC Executive Director Solomon Ngoma told Zambia24 on Sunday that Army operations should not be politicized. He warned that individuals benefiting from illegal mining across nearly ten provinces may oppose the crackdown.

“The Defence Forces must carry out their constitutional duty to protect the nation’s peace and stability without interference,” Ngoma said.

He also urged the Central Joint Operations Committee (CJOCs) to address the growing menace of violent urban gangs in compounds, whose actions have left citizens living in fear.

Ngoma stressed that illegal mining is not just an economic crime but a direct threat to national security. 

He noted that criminal networks, sometimes involving foreign nationals with military backgrounds, could destabilize the country if left unchecked.

President Hakainde Hichilema, like any future president, bears the responsibility to safeguard peace. Ngoma emphasized that Defence Forces are deployed only when credible intelligence supports action.

Ngoma clarified that Zambia Army Commander Lt. General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele’s warnings target hardened criminals, not ordinary citizens. 

He praised the Army’s work in Mufumbwe, where cooperation from miners showed that lawful and coordinated operations can be effective.

AIPAC called on all security agencies to support the Defence Forces. “Immediate, lawful, and coordinated action is needed to restore peace and security across the nation. Zambia needs sanity, and that must start now,” Ngoma said.

He concluded that Defence Forces must be empowered to act decisively against internal and external threats while remaining within legal boundaries.

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