{The District Police Commander of Kirehe, Supt James Rutaremara has appealed to residents to always be quick to report any incident to facilitate the police timely response to either apprehend suspected wrongdoers or recover any stolen item.}
Supt. Rutaremara made the call on June 27 in Nyamugali Sector in a community meeting attended by thousands of residents.
The meeting focused on strengthening the ideal of community policing and Irondo – community night patrols – in particular and timely information sharing as means to deal with the existing challenges related to cattle theft and drug trafficking.
Kirehe is said to be the main route for narcotic drugs through Nyamugali, due to its strategic position as it lies on the borderline with Tanzania.
According to the DPC, there has been series of cattle theft over time, especially in Nyamugali sector which has seen at least eight people said to be behind it, arrested in about two weeks.
These include two men identified as Phocas Sikubwabo and Emmanuel Ngabo, who were caught red-handed on June 15 with three stolen cows.
“Security and safety starts with you, and that’s why we have community policing which binds you as well put in place measures as a community, to partner with police to fight issues affecting your wellbeing,” Supt. Rutaremara told the residents.
“Some of these people are known by you, they could be your neighbour, a friend, a relative or even coming from somewhere else, don’t harbor such people, always provide early information so that such people are arrested and prevent other likely crimes they would otherwise commit,” he added.
He, however, thanked them for the cooperation during investigations on cattle theft, which led to the arrest of the eight suspects.
A number of cows were stolen in the sectors of Nyamugali, Mahama and Nyarubuye over the years so far 53 cows have been recovered and given back to rightful owners.
He further urged them to always report drug traffickers, most of whom use Nyamugali as their transit route after crossing into the country through porous borders.
The DPC appealed to them to strengthen and support Irondo night operations, which will also be a driving force to deter theft, drug trafficking and other crimes especially committed under darkness.
In a separate interview, Supt. Rutaremara said: “We are now engaging more in community policing and public awareness in particular to further bring the residents on board in crime detection, fighting and prevention and to understand that their security and safety is their responsibility as well,” Supt. Rutaremara said.
During investigations on cattle theft, for example, the DPC found out that some of the victims hadn’t even reported to police, which he said in most cases becomes a challenge to recover what has been stolen and in time.
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