In the Northern Province, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) have detained 68 people involved in illicit mining operations in the districts of Rulindo and Musanze.
Many locals complained that miners were encroaching on their farmlands without permission, which led to the arrests. According to some locals, the miners, who were supposedly looking for gold, had turned into untouchables and even used violence against anyone who dared to challenge their actions.
The arrests were verified by Northern Province RNP spokesperson Jean Bosco Mwiseneza.
“68 people were apprehended by the Rwanda National Police while engaging in illicit mining. Of these, 16 were detained in the Gacaca, Remera, and Muhoza sectors of Musanze district, and 52 were arrested in the Kinzuzi sector of Rulindo district. They are being held by the police while their illicit mining activities are being investigated,” he said.
While those from Musanze are being held at Muhoza Police Station, the suspects from Rulindo are being held in Murambi Police Station.
Following the arrests, RNP sent a strong warning to individuals involved, stating that such actions will not be accepted, and reaffirmed its commitment to ending illegal mining.
