Rwanda National Police

It was a moment of joy on Monday in Gatsibo district as farmers from various parts of the Eastern Province turned up to repossess their cows recovered in an ongoing investigations and operations against cattle theft in the region.

Police has so far recovered 59 cows stolen from Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts recently, and arrested 16 people suspected to be behind the theft.

Farmers, some who said their livestock were stolen last month, were all smiles on Monday in Kiramuruzi sector as they praised the community policing role in the recovery of their cattle.

“This cow was given to me under Girinka (one cow per household) programme and I was really heart broken when I walk up in the morning last month and couldn’t find it in the kraal,” Mariam Kayitesi, a widow and one of the victims hailing from Gakenyeri village,  Matare cell in Rugarama sector in Gatsibo, said.

“I am extremely happy for getting my cow back and am thankful for Rwanda National Police and all those who played a role to recover my cow and those of others,” she added.

Another victim Athanase Karasanyi of Kiramuruzi sector, whose cow was also recovered, said it was also stolen from the kraal at night and that he had lost hope of getting it back.

“It was like a miracle when I came here and found my cow among those recovered because after weeks since it was stolen, I had no hope of getting it back; I am told that these cows were recovered after information provided by the public and this shows how we play a vital role in maintaining our security, if we make it the centre of our day-to-day activities. God bless all those who have brought back my only cow,” said Karasanyi.

Chief Superintendent (CSP) Eric Mutsinzi, the Regional Police Commander (RPC) the force will continue its operations to the last person involved in this criminal act.

“The suspects were arrested in a coordinated operation in the last one week, with the support of members of the public and it was carried out in Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts,” CSP Mutsinzi said while addressing farmers.

“We will continue the crackdown until we break this chain, but we want the full cooperation of you, the public; some of these thieves are your neighbours so by reporting them you will be helping investigations, fighting crimes and ensuring that justice is also served,” he added.

Among those arrested include one Faustin Nsanzamahoro said to be the ringleader of the gang and who had a kraal where stolen cows would be kept in Rugarama sector in Gatsibo, before selling them.

Five others were arrested red-handed on Christmas Eve after they were found loading 19 of the stolen cows.

52 of the recovered cattle had been stolen in Gatsibo while seven others were stolen from farms in Nyagatare.