English
Kinyarwanda
Rwanda National Police (RNP) has arrested three people in connection with the violent attack on fishermen in Lake Kivu and stealing boat engines.
Four people armed with machetes, in the night of Sunday, November 22, attacked fishermen on the shores of Lake Kivu in Bukiro Village, Karambi Cell of Kivumu Sector, Rutsiro District and stole valuables including a boat engine.
The suspected violent thieves assaulted and injured one of the fishermen.
Police Marine Unit Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elias Mwesigye said that different Police units in Rubavu and Rutsiro districts worked together to locate and arrest three of the suspected thieves later that night.
“The robbery occurred at about 10pm when the suspected thieves injured one of the fishermen—Claude Nsengimana—on the leg with a machete before stealing the engine of their boat, two mobile phones and three pairs of shoes,” ACP Mwesigye said.
He added: “In response, Police Marine, the District Police Units of Rutsiro and Rubavu, and the fishing union of Rubavu, worked together to locate and arrest three of the violent thieves later that night; they were found in their respective home. During the operation, we also seized two boats which they were using in these criminal acts, including illegal fishing.”
Those arrested are Claude Muhimana alias Sunny, 30, Laurien Hakizimana, 27, and Amani Nsanzimana alias Mandwa, 19. They were handed over to RIB at Kivumu station
The CO said operations are still underway to arrest two other people connected to this violent theft.
“Those still at large include the fourth person, who was part of the attack and who took the stolen engine; and a taxi-moto operator, who transported the stolen items. Their identities and the motorcycle they used are known,” ACP Mwesigye said.
The group is suspected of engaging in related crimes before and has since been in hiding.
Under article 168 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, any person convicted for violent theft face between five and seven years in prison and a fine of between Frw3 million and Frw5 million.
