Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) reminds the general public to be wary and immediately report suspicious objects that are likely to be explosives and dangerous.

The force also appeals to parents and guardians to be watchful over their children, who are likely to be major victims when playing with these deadly objects.

The call follows an incident on February 22 in Ngarama Sector of Gatsibo District, where three children aged 10, 12 and 15 were critically injured when a grenade they were playing with, exploded.

The children had found the grenade in a bushy area and started playing with it unknowingly.

The children were rushed to Ngarama Hospital where they are currently getting medical care.

On the same day, Police recovered a rusted random grenade in Kabaya Sector, Ngororero District.

These small but deadly explosives are believed to be unexploded ordinances which are remnants of the war.

Over the years, RNP has recovered many of them – often reported by members of public, but it is likely that there are some other unexploded ordinances in bush.

“Such rusty explosives are very dangerous and are usually found in areas where barracks existed in the past or where military action took place. Children sometimes find them and play with without knowing that they can explode. Parents and guardians are therefore requested to always be on the lookout,” IP Emmanuel Kayigi, the Eastern region Police Spokesperson, said.

“When anyone finds such explosives or a peculiar object, they must not touch it; they should rush to report to Police or nearest authorities so that we can safely get rid of it before it hurts anyone and clear the area of any other dangerous objects that might be present,” he added.

He commended the public for their keenness and working with Police to ensure that these explosives don’t harm lives, while also cautioning them against illegal ownership of explosives or guns, which is a criminal offense that attracts heavy punishment.

Police also reminded the public that there is no criminal liability to any person who surrenders a weapon voluntarily – and therefore, urges those who are still possessing firearms and explosives illegally, or have information of their whereabouts, to voluntarily hand them to security organs or other concerned authorities.

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.