The Rwanda National Police has issued a strong warning against the growing tendency of some individuals to loot goods from vehicles involved in road accidents instead of assisting victims, following the arrest of 10 suspects linked to the theft of cement from a crashed truck in Kigali.
Police described the practice as both criminal and inhumane, urging the public to prioritize saving lives and supporting emergency responders whenever accidents occur.
The warning comes after a SINO TRUCK carrying 700 bags of cement from Northern Province to Kigali was involved in an accident in Rutagara I Village, Nzove Cell, Kanyinya Sector, Nyarugenge District, in the early hours of May 28.
According to Police, the driver lost control of the truck, which veered off the road, leaving him seriously injured. He was immediately evacuated to the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) for treatment.
However, instead of assisting the injured driver, some residents reportedly descended on the accident scene and began looting bags of cement from the overturned truck. Authorities say part of the stolen cargo was even being sold shortly after the accident.
Following a swift response by Police officers in Kanyinya, an operation was launched to recover the stolen property and track down those involved.
Police confirmed that 84 bags of cement have so far been recovered, while 10 suspects have been arrested and detained at Kanyinya Police Station. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend additional suspects.
The arrested individuals are expected to be handed over to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) for further legal proceedings.
In a statement, the Rwanda National Police reminded citizens that looting property from accident victims constitutes a criminal offense and undermines the values of solidarity and humanity that characterize Rwandan society.
Police called on the public to uphold the culture of assisting people in distress and to avoid exploiting emergencies for personal gain.
The force also warned individuals who target cargo trucks on steep roads and other vulnerable locations to steal goods during transit, noting that authorities are aware of such hotspots and are intensifying efforts to dismantle the networks involved.
As investigations continue, Police urged citizens to report suspicious activities and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in protecting both lives and property.
