EASTERN PROVINCE

NYAGATARE — The Police in Nyagatare town are holding a woman allegedly for poisoning a 12-year child.

Stéria Nyirankangabarashi, 60, a resident of Mirama II village, is alleged to have killed Penninah Iragena, a primary three pupil at Mirama Primary School, through food poisoning. The child died on the way to Nyagatare Hospital, this Thursday.

Domian Gasana, the Nyagatare Police Station commander confirmed the arrest, saying the accused was yet to appear in court.

"This woman is lucky that our police arrived quickly because angry students and other residents wanted to burn her inside her house,” said Gasana.

Pierre Céléstine Musonera, the deceased’s father said that his daughter came from school at around 1:00pm complaining of stomach pain and vomiting.

"When we asked her what was happening she told us that the accused gave her rice, banana and beans when she was returning from school. And that she developed the complications thereafter,” Musonera said.

He added that the deceased told them that Nyirankangabarashi had warned her against reporting that she had eaten at her place.

According to area residents who talked to The New Times, Nyirankangabarashi had build a reputation for poisoning.

They allege that she had in the past killed her daughter in law which prompted her to migrate from her original Cell of residence in Kahi, Katabagemu sector. While at the police however, the woman denied the charges saying on the said date she was not at home.

"These people are harassing me because yesterday (Thursday) I was not at home, I had gone to help my friend to harvest her millet,” she said in defense of herself.

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