Five Detainees Escape from Ongwediva Police Cells
By TUW
A manhunt is underway in the Oshana Region following the escape of five detainees from the Ongwediva Police Station holding cells shortly after midnight on Wednesday.
Authorities say the incident occurred at approximately 00h30 on 18 February 2026. The escape was discovered during a routine inspection by officers on duty, who became suspicious after noticing a flipp-flop footprint behind the holding cells.
Chief Inspector Thomas Aiyambo of the Oshana Region community policing sub-division explained that further checks led officers to a cut opening in the corrugated iron roof.
“After observing the footprint, officers conducted a closer inspection. On top of the cells they identified an opening that had been cut into the roof. A physical verification and headcount then confirmed that five detainees were missing from Cell One,” Aiyambo said.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly used an unidentified object to breach the internal burglar door, gained access to a scuttle hole, and then cut through the corrugated iron roof before fleeing the premises.
The escaped detainees have been identified as Angula Shindinge, also known as Mapadi, from Oikango village near Niitembu Combined School, who was facing multiple housebreaking charges linked to various Ongwediva cases.
Also among the escapees is Erasmus Bravo of Omagongati village, who had been charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), read with domestic violence and related offences.
Police further named Hangula Jesay Bishop from Oupamako village, who had been remanded on a rape charge, alongside Martin Kabila Pohamba, also facing a rape charge.
The fifth escapee is Gwiilundo Lonny Shimanya from Omaalala village, who had been in custody on charges including attempted murder and housebreaking.
All five suspects had been remanded in custody without bail at the time of the escape.
Police confirmed that no arrests have been made so far and investigations into the incident are continuing. The suspects are believed to still be at large.
Members of the public with information regarding their whereabouts are urged to contact the Ongwediva Police Station at 081 387 4555, Detective Inspector Namupala at 081 214 9311, or report to the nearest police station.
Police said photographs of the suspects will be circulated once they become available.
