Titus Phiri allegedly told the detainees they were "free to cross over into the new year". (Supplied)
A Zambian police officer has been arrested after allegedly becoming intoxicated and freeing more than a dozen prisoners to celebrate New Year's Eve.
The 13 suspects had been in detention near Kanyama, in the country's south, facing charges including assault, affray and theft.
None of the suspects returned.
The Zambia Police Service said Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, a team leader at Leonard Cheelo Police Post under the Kanyama Police Station, had been arrested.
In a statement, the police service said Inspector Phiri was "in a state of intoxication" at 10am on December 31 when he took the cell keys from a colleague and released 13 prisoners.
"Detective Inspector Phiri unlocked both the male and female cells and instructed the suspects to leave, stating they were free to cross over into the new year," Zambia Police Service said in a statement.
"A manhunt has been launched. The Zambia Police Service has intensified efforts to locate and apprehend the escapees."
ABC
