Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police has appealed to the general public to be wary of suspicious objects that could be explosives and report them to officials as soon as possible.

The call follows a case of two abandon rusty grenades that were recovered in Ngoma and Rutsiro district.

In Ngoma, the grenade were discovered on September 26 by Ephrem Niyonzima, a 60 years old man and immediately called the police while in Rutsiro, the grenade was found by Augustin Bazimaziki who also reported to the authorities.

Reacting to the incidents, the Western Region Police Spokesperson Inspector of Police (IP) Theobald Kanamugire, said that such explosives are very dangerous and are usually found in areas where barracks existed in the past or where military action took place.

“The areas were marked and secured, no need to worry. Police thanks the public participation in endeavoring to create security. If any individual discovers any object that is suspicious, do not touch it and do not let children play in that area. Report to Police immediately,” he added.

He further appealed to those that could be having explosives or firearms illegally or knowing their whereabouts, to volutarilly surrender them or inform police where they could be.

There's no criminal liability to whoever surrenders weapons voluntarily.

Article 671 of the penal code states that any person who illegally possesses, lends or gives an arm, or falsifies its identification marks, is liable to a term of imprisonment of six months to one year and a fine of Rwf300, 000 to Rwf3 million.

Article 675, states, any person, who provides false information or refuses to provide information with the aim of obtaining a license for possession or carriage of a firearm, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of six months  to one year and a fine of Rwf100, 000 to Rwf1 million or one of these penalties.