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Four Armed Robbery Suspects Killed In Shootout With Police In Songwe

 

“This is Vwawa Bus Stand, where the incident occurred in which armed robbers shot and killed a security guard before fleeing with various items.”


Songwe. Four suspected armed robbers have been shot dead following a confrontation with police in Songwe Region after allegedly being involved in a violent raid on a mobile phone and financial services shop in Vwawa town, Mbozi District, in which a security guard was killed.

According to a statement issued today, December 30, 2025, by the Songwe Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Augustino Senga, the incident occurred at around 3:30 a.m. The suspects reportedly stormed the shop, owned by businessman Gabriel Msemwa, at the Vwawa main bus stand, killed the guard, William Mwampashi (45), and fled with assorted items.

The deceased suspects have been identified as Bruce Mwasenga, Eliuta Mapunda, Abdul Chiba, and Justine, known by a single name.

SACP Senga said police immediately launched intensive, intelligence-led investigations, which enabled officers to identify and track down the suspects.

“During a follow-up operation in the Ilembo area of Vwawa town, where the suspects were hiding, police officers attempted to arrest them. However, the suspects resisted and engaged the officers using firearms,” he said.

A shootout ensued, during which all four suspects sustained gunshot wounds. They were rushed to Mbozi District Hospital, where they later died while receiving treatment.

Police said the suspects were notorious repeat offenders who had previously been sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment for murder and armed robbery, but were released after appealing their convictions and subsequently returned to criminal activities.

Authorities further linked the group to a series of serious crimes committed across the regions of Mbeya, Songwe, Rukwa and Katavi.

Items recovered during the operation include 30 smartphones, 172 basic mobile phones, a CRDB Bank POS machine, a locally manufactured pistol, a crowbar, four screwdrivers, four live rounds of ammunition, one spent cartridge, metal bars and two padlocks, believed to have been used to break into the shop.

The Songwe Regional Police said a manhunt is ongoing to track down other suspects connected to the incident, warning that firm legal action will be taken against anyone found to be involved


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