Rwanda National Police

Police in the Eastern Province said the active involvement of the residents in fighting cattle theft in the region continues to yield positive results both in arresting thieves and recovering stolen cattle.

The reaction follows series of cattle raiding especially in Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts.

“We have so far recorded about five cases of cattle rustling in Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts in the last one week involving six cows. Five cows were intercepted by the residents but another cow had already been slaughtered, but in all the cases suspects were arrested, ” Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said.

The latest cattle theft occurred in the night of November 10, when thieves stole two cows in different kraals in Nyagatare.

According to CIP Kanamugire, two suspected thieves in this latest case were intercepted by residents of Rwimbogo Sector in Gatsibo on Sunday.

“At about 9:30am on Sunday, residents of Nyamatete Cell in Rwimbogo called Police reporting two men whom they had apprehended after they found them with two cows but lacked the movement permit. We later that the cows had been stolen in Nyagatare the previous night,” said Kanamugire.

Majority suspects, he said, are herdsmen.

“For a cow to be taken from one place to another there are legal documents issued by local leaders the person taking it should have. The documents indicate the origin, destination and the owner,” Kanamugire explained.

He added: “We appeal to the general public to maintain the community policing spirit, share information on people they suspect to be involved in cattle raiding. If someone taking the cow has no authorization documents or even you become suspicious, call the Police and local leaders in the area; they will verify the truth and arrest the thieves.”