Rwanda National Police

Residents of Kamonyi District have been agreed to mount a campaign and fight against use and sell of narcotics and illicit drugs by providing timely information to Rwanda National Police (RNP) and other law enforcing agencies.

They made the declaration on August 12, during a sensitization campaign initiated by RNP in Bibungo Sector, Kamonyi District, which attracted over 100 residents, local leaders and RNP’s partners in crime prevention.

The message followed events last month, when police publically destroyed five illegal distilling plants in the district .

Speaking at the meeting, the District Community Liaison Officer of Kamonyi, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Athanase Niyonagira, appealed to residents to embrace Community Policing and shun the trade and consumption of narcotics and partner with security organs in the fight against the vice,.

“Narcotic are a threat to life and they interfere with security and safety measures within any given community. It is therefore imperative that we all join hands to protect our people from this scourge, especially the youth and be proactive against drug abuse,” he said.

He also challenged residents to work harder rather than engaging in drug abuse and other crimes that promote underdevelopment and insecurity.

The Executive Secretary of Bibungo Sector, Fidel Gatete, commended RNP for its positive anti-drug campaigns and other initiatives to prevent crimes, noting that crimes were being solved or prevented on time through community policing.

During the event, residents vowed to protect their communities against the acts of drug dealers who target the youth.

“Young people are lured to join gangs that abuse drugs, and in the end, they end up committing all sorts of crimes, such as burglary, gender-based violence and petty theft. We should work together to protect our young generation by being exemplary and reporting drug dealers on a timely basis,” Justin Nyabyenda, one of the local residents noted.