Rubavu residents warned against human trafficking as RIB intensifies awareness campaign

By The Inspirer.

Residents of Rubavu District have been urged to remain vigilant against human trafficking schemes as the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) continues a nationwide awareness campaign targeting communities in border areas.

During the outreach, officials emphasized that a Rwandan citizen is valuable and must never be treated as a commodity, warning that human trafficking remains a serious crime punishable under Rwandan law.

The campaign aims to educate citizens on how trafficking networks operate, the tactics used by traffickers, the consequences for victims, and the legal penalties for perpetrators.

Many residents admitted they were previously unaware of the tricks used by traffickers, who often lure victims with promises of high-paying jobs or education opportunities abroad.

One resident, Clementine Uwizeyimana, shared her experience of narrowly avoiding such a trap.

“After finishing school, a relative sent me a link advertising jobs abroad paying about Rwf500,000 per month. My family even considered selling a cow so I could process the travel documents,” she said.

She later discovered the offer was fraudulent after consulting a friend with contacts in the country mentioned in the job advert.

“I withdrew immediately. Now I am very cautious because a friend who traveled through a similar arrangement was trafficked. She later returned home infected with HIV and deeply traumatized,” she added.

Another resident, Jean Pierre Maniriho, said a neighbor took a 15-year-old child from their community claiming he had found him a job.

“He admitted taking the child, but it has now been three months without any contact. We are asking RIB to investigate and help us find out where our child was taken,” he said.

RIB officials warned residents to treat suspicious offers with caution, particularly when someone promises to arrange passports, pay for travel tickets, and instructs them not to inform anyone about their plans.

Kayitesi Justine, an RIB officer responsible for investigating human trafficking cases, said such promises are common tactics used by traffickers.

“Someone may promise you a job with a high salary in dollars, offer to process your documents, and even buy your plane ticket while asking you not to tell anyone. Ask yourself: is that person your parent or close relative to make such sacrifices?” she said.

She noted that traffickers frequently target young people, exploiting them for forced labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of abuse, and in some cases victims lose their lives.

The Governor of Western Province, Jean Bosco Ntibitura, also urged citizens to be cautious about unrealistic promises abroad.

“There is no paradise abroad that is better than home. Rwandans must understand that they are valuable human beings, not commodities to be taken to a market and sold,” he said.

Under Rwandan law, human trafficking committed within the country carries a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years, while cross-border trafficking can result in 20 to 25 years in prison.

Authorities say public awareness and community vigilance remain crucial in preventing trafficking and protecting vulnerable citizens.