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Two people identified as Emmanuel Sinamenye, 52, and Enias Nzamwitakuze, 55, are currently e detained at Kivumu Police Station in Ngororero District after they were arrested red-handed in illegal mining and other environmental related crimes.
They were arrested Wednesday with 20 kilogrammes of soil, which they were washing in the well as a usual process to filter coltan from the soil.
Inspector of Police (IP) Eulade Gakwaya, the Western Province Police spokesperson, said that information about the unlawful activities was relayed by residents of Mwiyanike Village, Rugeshi Cell in Kavumu Sector, where the suspects were conducted illegal activities.
“We urge people to desist from unlawful mining activities which sometimes result into disasters and loss of lives. Owners of mining concessions should also ensure that their sites and secured and protected from such illegal and dangerous activities,” IP Gakwaya said.
The arrest of the duo follows a similar operation early this month also in Ngororero where five other people were arrested in illegal mining and environmental related crimes.
Early this week, three other people were arrested in Muhanga District while mining illegally.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) is actively engaged in fighting environmental crimes and unlawful mining activities in particular through community awareness and operations.
Last week, 100 police officers and reservists of Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) conducted a joint training in fighting environmental crimes and other potential threats to nature and human security.
