National Public prosecution Authority (NPPA) officials have launched an investigation into a case of four students suspected of setting a school dormitory on fire, leaving it partly destroyed and property damaged.

The suspects (names withheld) allegedly committed the crime at Groupe Scolaire Frank Adamson Kibogora in Nyamasheke District on Friday last week.

"It is true we received their file on Thursday, all of them are suspected to have committed the crime of arson,” said Faustin Nkusi, the prosecution spokesperson.

"Preliminary investigation shows that they set fire to one of the dormitories of the school. We are still verifying the information before further action,” he added.

Nkusi said that the suspects, who are being held at Kagano Rwanda Investigation Bureau station include one female and three males, all senior six students.

"We are going to analyse the case and charges against them and see whether we can file a case requesting for preventive detention or release them,” he noted.

The arson left the female dormitory destroyed and materials, including the students’ properties, damaged, according to the school management.

The process to assess the cost of the damaged property is ongoing, according to officials.

This is not the first time Rwandan schools are affected by fire incidents. Six years ago, two schools in Muhanga District, Southern Province experienced back-to-back incidents of arson.

They included Byimana School of Sciences whose dormitory was reduced to ashes and property worth millions destroyed. The school chapel was also burnt.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com