Police in Kigali city yesterday arrested about 80 people over allegations of being idle and disorderly.

The operation is part of the police’s efforts to wipe out all idlers in the city whom they hold accountable for cases of theft cases in the city.

John Uwamungu, police spokesperson confirmed the arrest during a telephone interview yesterday.

He said the operation was based on numerous police reports which indicate that the increased idleness in Kigali has resulted into the growing number of theft.

"We have been getting different theft cases and we had to act accordingly,” Uwamungu said without mentioning the number of cases registered.

He said that cases like pick pocketing, snatching of ladies’ bags and stealing of phones were among the most reported according to their reports.

"These (idlers) are the people who in most cases indulge in such misconducts most especially in taxi parks since they have nothing to do. They steal items as passengers rush to enter into taxis.”

Uwamungu said that the arrested idlers most of them teenagers, will soon be transported back to their respective villages upcountry.

"The operation is still going on because we want total security not only in Kigali but in the whole country,” Uwamungu said.

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