Statistics from the Rwanda National Police show that the number of infanticide and abortion cases has increased since last year.

Cases of infanticide between January and May this year, are 20 while last year only 11 were registered during the same period. This shows a 49 per cent increase.

Cases of abortion rose from 43 last year for the first five month to 59 cases this year within the same period.

According to police, this is happening due to the ignorance about the legal aspects in these kinds of situations. The force says it has put in place strategies to curb down the cases.

"Young women are not aware of the legal aspects and the government responsibilities for families," said police spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege.

"When they are faced with abandonment from their male partners, they think they don't have any possibility to get assistance or for the baby to be catered for. Probably they think that killing or getting rid of the newborn is the best alternative."

"Police has put much emphasis on sensitization and through community policing a number of awareness campaigns were conducted from across the country," he explained.

Badege says that the increase of the figures is a sign which indicates that, citizens are now appreciating the need to report criminal acts to security organs.

He believes poverty is not a justifiable reason for a mother to terminate the life of her own baby as some people normally get bamboozled by such excuses.

He further said that cases of infanticide and abortion were identified in high schools where out of fear to be kicked off from schools decide to kill innocent lives.

Infanticide is a criminal act that is punishable by article 325 of the Rwandan penal code.

The Police urge citizens to avail information to security organs to purposely prevent crimes of any kind and create a peaceful and secure country for all Rwandans.