Rwanda National Police

A suspected conman was arrested in Rubavu District with a fake gun, which he was using to threaten and defraud people.

Joseph Sibomana, 25, was arrested on Sunday, October 18, in Isangano village of Rukoko cell in Rubavu sector.

He hails from the nearby Kanama Sector in Musabike cell, Nyakibande village.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson of the Western region, said that Sibomana was at the time found in the plantations where he had allegedly set a trap to ambush people.

"There was information of a man with a gun, who ambushes people and steals their valuables. On Sunday, at about 11am, following information from herdsmen that the same person was hiding in a field near the border with DR Congo, where he had set a trap; security personnel were immediately dispatched apprehend the suspect, and they successfully arrested Sibomana," CIP Karekezi said.

At the time, he added, Sibomana was wearing a military attire and holding a fake gun.

"So far, five people have come forward claiming to have been robbed by Sibomana at gun point, which gun turned out to be a fake one made out of wood. Residents thought that they were being robbed by security organs."

"His main targets were smugglers. He would take money from them and at times take their goods in instances where smugglers ran away thinking they were fleeing from security organs. However, all the five victims so identified are local residents, who were running their errands when Sibomana ambushed them in wee hours," the spokesperson explained.

There is information that Sibomana works with other people and security organs are still searching for them.

Article 170 in the new penal code states that "any person, who carries out theft with a weapon, commits armed robbery."

If convicted for armed robbery committed by more than one person or a group, the penalty is an imprisonment for a term of not less than fifteen (15) years and not more than twenty (20) years and a fine of not less than Frw 5 million and not more than Frw 7 million.