Police in Lusaka have shot dead three bandits who attempted to stage a robbery at Trade Kings in Chinika Industrial area.

In the process, police recovered an AK 47 assault rifle with 10 rounds of ammunition and a pistol with 16 rounds of ammunition.

Also recovered, was a Toyota Corolla the gunmen were using.

Lusaka Police chief Joyce Kasosa confirmed the incident.

"We are happy with the response that we got from the members of the public and we would like to appeal for more information leading to the recovery of firearms that might be in the wrong hands," Ms Kasosa said.

She said the gunmen attempted to stage a robbery around 14:30 hours at the Trade Kings plant but police quickly intercepted them.

Meanwhile, bandits in Lundazi District have shot dead a taxi driver and got away with his vehicle.

The accident happed on Saturday around 18:20hours when three men told the taxi driver that they needed transport as they had some business to do at Lusuntha border.

Eastern Province police chief Grace Chipalila said the three got on Derrick Simasiku's taxi, but later attacked him along with his friend.

She explained that as they were driving on the Lusuntha Road, one of the men asked Mr Simasiku to stop so that he could relieve himself.

On his return from a bush, he lied that the back tyre on the vehicle had gone flat.

She said the gunmen then shot Mr Simasiku while he was checking on the tyre, but his friend managed to escape and reported the matter to the police. Police have launched a manhunt.