Police yesterday arrested more than 100 people in Rwamagana in one of its biggest crackdowns on suspected criminals.The operation was part of the police campaign to rout criminal elements from communities.According to Supt Richard Rubagumya, the District Police Commander (DPC), the operation targeted narcotic abusers and sellers, among others.“The operation is part of our routine work of curtailing criminals and preventing crimes before they are committed. It makes people feel safer and more secure,” he said. “The fact that so many were arrested sends a strong message that we will not relent in our fight against crime,” he said.Rubagumya said that police seized several kilogrammes of marijuana and hundreds of litres of illicit gin locally known as Kanyanga.Nehemie Uwimana, the Rwamagana District mayor applauded the police operation.He further thanked Community Policing Committees for their influential role in identifying the suspects. “It is on record that most crimes in our communities are motivated by drug abuse. As local leaders, therefore, we assure the police full support,” he said. Meanwhile, residents have urged police to take the suspects to court, noting that most arrested suspects are usually found on the streets only after a few days.“Police operations are good, but they can only have an impact if criminals faced justice,” said John Muhayimana, a resident. “You will meet most of the suspects moving scot-free even when they are caught red-handed. It renders the whole process futile.”In the past six months, police made several arrests in a campaign to crack down on general crime.
