Authorities dispel army recruitment claims

EASTERN PROVINCE NGOMA — The Ngoma district Mayor, Francois Niyotwagira has ordered all Sector Executive Secretaries and other concerned authorities to hunt down rogues moving around claiming that they want to recruit residents into the army. Niyotwagira said this on Saturday during a security meeting, in which it was reported that there are some people registering youth especially house helps promising to draft them into the army. Josue Muhiga, the Executive Secretary for Rukumbeli Sector said in his security report that some people were arrested in connection with the incident. The same cases were reported to have occurred in Kibungo sector. ‘No recruitments are allowed.We will go at full lengths together with security personnel to track down such culprits’, Niyotwagira said. Lt. Gaston Kalisa, who represented Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) in the meeting, urged the leaders to tighten the night patrols commonly known as Irondo which he said would curb cases of insecurity in the district. The District Police Commander, Supt. Emmanuel Kalasi, however, said security situation in the area was improving compared to previous months, despite the alleged recruitment claims. Since this month begun, four cases of theft, according to police reports have been registered, compared to 14 cases registered last month. All the four cases were registered in Rukumbeli Sector. Other cases registered included defilement, rape and fighting attributed to drinking which has in most cases resulted into parties involved getting injuries. The Mayor ordered authorities to close down drinking joints where such fights occur. Supt Kalasi called for thorough investigations into rape and defilement cases. “Follow up such cases with utmost care to establish the truth of the matter,” Kalasi said. Ngoma district last year topped other districts in the Eastern Province, according to crime report.Most crimes were attributed to alcoholic abuse. Ends