Police arrest suspect in city grenade attack

KIGALI - Police yesterday confirmed the arrest of the person suspected to have thrown the Tuesday evening grenade at a busy commuter terminal in downtown Kigali, commonly known as Kwa Rubangura, which has so far claimed one person. Police spokesperson, Eric Kayiranga, revealed this in a press briefing held at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Kacyiru. The briefing was aimed at giving an update on the security situation during the Presidential electoral process.“We have in our custody a key suspect in the grenade at Rubangura’s,” Kayiranga revealed. About 21 people were admitted at the Kigali University teaching Hospital (CHUK) following the attack.The police spokesperson also revealed that other people had been arrested in connection with the attack. “Many other suspects have been arrested in connection with these criminal attacks,” he revealed.He said that the police, in conjunction with other security organs and local authorities, have introduced new security mechanisms, especially in Kigali. “We are now putting in place other security mechanisms such as police sniffer dogs and metal detectors in places we suspect could be targeted. We have agreed with concerned authorities to install security lights in unlit sections of the city. Lack of enough security lights is one of the things threatening security in Kigali”. Kigali City had in its 2010/2011 budget allocated over Rwf 964m to install security lights along city roads. Kayiranga also said that other security mechanisms such as using helicopter, vehicle and human patrols had been increased. “We are even using surveillance cameras where necessary, and we are happy with what we are doing and assure the public that they should have trust in their security organs. “We are doing whatever is necessary to protect them and to avail a good environment in which every citizen will perform their work in achieving the objectives of the country.” CHUK hospital Director General, Dr. Theobald Hategekimana, told The New Times Thursday that only 11 people were still admitted at the hospital but only seven sustained serious injuries, including one unidentified deceased who passed away Thursday at the hospital. Kayiranga appealed to the general public to work closely with security organs to apprehend all those who want to interfere with the country’s tranquillity. “It’s unfortunate to lose lives of innocent people through such criminal acts. We are doing all we can to bring this to an end and that’s why we are calling for partnership with the population,” he said. Ends

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Police arrest suspect in city grenade attack