Police warn public to be wary of suspicious objects

Police have reminded the public to be wary and always report suspicious objects, which it said could be dangerous explosives. The call follows an incident, last Sunday, 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. Police also appealed to parents to monitor their children. The children were taken to Ngarama Hospital where they are currently getting medical care. On the same day, Police said it recovered a grenade in Kabaya Sector, Ngororero District. These small but deadly explosives are believed to have been left during the liberation struggle 20 years ago. “Such rusty explosives are very dangerous and are usually found in areas where barracks existed in the past or where battles took place. Children sometimes find them and play with the objects without knowing that they can explode. Parents and guardians are therefore requested to always be on the lookout,” 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 dispose of it,” he added. Over the years, Rwanda National Police has recovered similar explosives, following information shared by the public. Kayigi commended the public for their keenness and working with Police to ensure that these explosives don’t harm lives. 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. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Police warn public to be wary of suspicious objects