NRPUP claims three members sent to Russia for security training abducted at Lusaka airport

Binwell Mpundu, NRPUP Presidential Affairs Chairperson, has claimed that three individuals sent to Russia for security training to protect presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu were abducted upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, an allegation delivered without corroborating detail on how the incident occurred at a secured facility.

Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, Mpundu said the decision to send party members to Russia for specialised protection training was a precautionary measure following what he described as alleged attacks on the party during campaigning. He said the individuals were selected from within the party’s ranks and file to receive training in VVIP protection, describing the move as a normal practice for parties seeking to safeguard their leadership.

“We decided in trying to save and protect the lives of our presidents, president Mundubile and president Makebi, to have three individuals within our ranks and file to receive this important training. This was an open issue. There was no secrecy around it,” Mpundu said.

According to Mpundu, the trainees had completed their programme and were returning to Zambia through the international airport when they went missing. “These issues we are speaking to have got the potential to discredit the credibility of the elections, and so international observers must pay attention to all these schemes,” he said. “In short, they have been abducted.”

Mpundu framed the alleged incident within a wider narrative of what he described as efforts to undermine his party’s campaign, alleging that buying of candidates, intimidating candidates and sponsoring confusion within rival camps had become normalised tactics as the country nears its national vote.

He went further, appealing directly to residents of Western Province to maintain peace and resist what he characterised as an orchestrated scheme by the UPND to sponsor young people to disrupt the party’s campaign activities in the region. Mpundu said NRPUP intended to spend three days campaigning in Western Province beginning the following day, before proceeding into Southern Province.

No independent confirmation of the alleged abduction has been provided, and the claim has not been addressed by police, airport authorities or the Zambia Police Service. The Kenneth Kaunda International Airport operates under standard national security protocols, and no other reports of a security breach involving missing travellers were available at the time of Mpundu’s remarks.

The allegation surfaces amid a broader pattern of escalating rhetoric between political parties in the closing stages of the campaign, with accusations of violence, intimidation and sabotage being traded across party lines in recent days. Observers have noted that claims of this nature, if left unverified, risk complicating public confidence in the electoral process during its most sensitive final stretch.

Neither Mundubile nor Zulu had personally commented on the claim at the time of publication. The NRPUP has not indicated whether it intends to file a formal police report regarding the alleged abduction, nor has it named the individuals said to be missing

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Hot this week

Mundubile says his manifesto puts youths and women at the centre of change August 4, 2026 0 Mundubile's manifesto defends record and readiness as he courts... General News

Government to continue working with traditional leaders August 4, 2026 2 Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Lawrence Mwanza, has reaffirmed Government's... Feature Politics

President Hichilema underscores continued development August 4, 2026 0 President Hakainde Hichilema has underscored his government's resolve to... General News

President Hichilema accords Late Dr Zyuulu official funeral August 4, 2026 0 President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded an official funeral for... General News

98th agriculture show exhibited value- added products August 4, 2026 0 Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show Society, Vice President, Ishmael...

Topics

Mundubile says his manifesto puts youths and women at the centre of change 0 Mundubile's manifesto defends record and readiness as he courts... General News

Government to continue working with traditional leaders 2 Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Lawrence Mwanza, has reaffirmed Government's... Feature Politics

President Hichilema underscores continued development 0 President Hakainde Hichilema has underscored his government's resolve to... General News

President Hichilema accords Late Dr Zyuulu official funeral 0 President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded an official funeral for... General News

98th agriculture show exhibited value- added products 0 Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show Society, Vice President, Ishmael... Sports

Samukonga misses 400m defence 0 Team Zambia concluded its participation at the Glasgow 2026... General News

2026 Agriculture Show, exhibited innovation and technological products – Show goers 0 Show goers and exhibitors at the just-ended 98th Zambia... General News

Mbala Central and Saise Constituencies ballot papers arrives 0 The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has delivered ballot...

Related Articles

Mundubile says his manifesto puts youths and women at the centre of change

President Hichilema underscores continued development Feature Politics August 4, 2026

Mukandila: “What Is It That They Are Scared Of” – ECZ Under Fire

President Hichilema has effectively engaged communities-UPND

Kambwili urges ECZ to enforce campaign timetable evenly across all candidates

Popular Categories