Authorities in Gatsibo District, on Saturday, April 27, successfully located five missing children, including three 3-year-old girls, who had disappeared on April 24.

All the five children, residents of Kiziguro sector, Ndatemwa cell, were reported missing by their parents on April 25. Three of the children had not returned home from the nearby early childhood development centre (ECD), while two had last been seen at their residences.

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In an interview with The New Times, ACP Boniface Rutikanga, the Spokesperson of Rwanda National Police (RNP), confirmed the recovery of the children and provided details regarding their disappearance.

According to him, all the five children were led away by a 12-year-old girl, who is an older sibling to two of them.

She took her two siblings from home, while she encountered the remaining three children on the way returning home from the ECD, since they live in the same neighbourhood.

"She led them to her mother's house, initially claiming they were neighbours' children. Her mother ordered her to take them back to their home, but she instead took them to her grandmother's residence. The grandmother also instructed her to take them back, but she just took them to another home in Kayonza, where they remained until authorities found them,” he narrated.

All five children, alongside the 12-year-old, were found in a home in Murundi sector, Karambi cell, Gafunzo village in Kayonza district.

The place is very near to Gatsibo district, a walkable distance for the children.

After recovering the children, the authorities questioned the 12-year-old girl about why she had taken them away.

She disclosed that she intended to engage the children in street begging alongside herself.

Rutikanga noted that the incident should give serious lessons to families and educational institutions regarding child care and vigilance.

He highlighted the need for thorough follow-up procedures in the supervision of children.

All the children are in good health and have been reunited with their families.

Rutikanga told The New Times that the 12-year-old will not be prosecuted but police say they will look deeper into the issue just in case there was any adult person involved so that they face the law.