By Rahim Abdul
Police officers on the night of January 10, 2026, thwarted an attempted armed robbery at Mbowe Filling Station in Lilongwe following an intelligence-led undercover operation aimed at flushing out criminals who have been terrorising the area.
According to the Malawi Police Service (MPS), the suspect, whose name has been withheld, was armed with a knife and attempted to rob an undercover police officer who was posing as an Auto Teller Machine (ATM) user near the filling station.
Police said officers lawfully used force to neutralise the threat after the suspect advanced on the officer. The suspect was shot, disarmed and immediately arrested at the scene.
He was later taken to a medical facility where he is currently receiving treatment under police guard and is expected to be taken to court once he is medically fit.
The operation forms part of heightened security measures by MPS in response to a rise in criminal activities around City Mall, Crossroads, Mbowe and surrounding areas in Lilongwe.
MPS has since issued a strong warning to all criminals operating in these hotspots, as well as in other urban and rural areas across the country, that the security net is rapidly tightening.
Police have intensified both undercover and overt patrols and reiterated that officers will not hesitate to act decisively against anyone who poses a threat to public safety.
MPS has also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to the police.
The service has reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, stressing that protecting lives and property remains its top priority.
