Rwanda National Police

The crackdown on criminals, especially drug dealers in Kigali city has gained momentum after 214 people suspected to be behind series of illegal acts, were apprehended in Kicukiro district.

34 of the suspects were apprehended on August 8.
They were arrested in an operation conducted between August 2 and 8 in the district.

The swoop followed a District Security Council meeting held on August 2, which among others, laid strategies to tackle crime-related issues, including drug dealers, loiterers and hawkers.

The operation was conducted in partnership with the local authorities and the public.

Some of the suspects were caught red-handed while others are those that were on the list of drug dealers, who were still at large, police said.

The operation follows another successful one conducted in Nyarugenge district early this week, where over 117 suspected drug sellers and consumers, vendors and thieves.

Sensitization

Those arrested in Kicukiro were on Friday converged at Kicukiro play ground where they were sensitized on the dangers of drug abuse and urged to engage in developmental activities by joining and forming cooperative societies.

They were urged to be patriotic, focused and adhere to development initiatives rather than engaging in “illegal acts.”

Street vendors were also advised to operate in markets where they were promised incentives including scrapping taxes and rent for six months.

 “The public have become our greatest allies, and these successful operations were due to their input. They gave us credible information, which indicates a one-people focused on one goal – development,” SSP Urbain Mwiseneza, said.

“Operations will continue; we will not tire until such people hampering the country’s dream are arrested. But of course, such operations go hand-in-hand with awareness. Some of those apprehended are sensitised, given civic education before we reintegrate them again to start a better life,” he explained.