Rwanda National Police

Police are holding three people suspected to have stolen US$10,638 (Approx Rwf 7.7 million) from Bank of Kigali (BK) Nyarutarama branch.

The suspects who are currently detained at Remera Police Station are Samuel Minja Kabano an employee of the bank, Jean Marie Vianney Ndagijimana an Intersec Security guard and Mediatrice Ikibasumba a cleaner at the same bank.

The trio were arrested on August 6, following a theft complaint filed to Remera Police Station by BK management. Police hurriedly mounted investigations that led to the arrest of the two men and a woman.

The three were apprehended as a result of the Bank’s CCTV footages.

Following a thorough scrutiny of the Bank’s CCTV footages, police discovered evidence linking the suspect to the missing money.

According to the Police, the footage showed unusual movements within the bank and collaboration among the suspects on the very day the money was reportedly stolen.

The footages also showed suspects exchanging an envelope between Kabano and Ikibasumba which allegedly contained the stolen money.

Kabano whose title is ‘Banking Officer’ is alleged to have stolen the money from the bank safe.

Rwanda National Police’s Central region spokesperson, Superintendent Modeste Mbabazi, said that during the course of investigations, Police found the money at Ikibasumbazi’s home in Kinyinya sector in Gasabo district.

Ikibasumba told press however that she had been asked to keep the money by Kabano.

Mbabazi warned bank employees not to be tempted to steal saying that the police has all means to track them down.

“The arrest of these people should send signals to whoever that might be thinking of robbing the bank or commit any form of a crime; Policee is always on alert to prevent such crimes and where they are committed, suspect should not elude justice,” said Mbabazi.

He called on financial institutions to always partner with the Police to ensure suspects are arrested before they run away with the resources.

He also appealed to Bank management to device stringent mechanisms that prevent their money from getting stolen.

Article 300 of the Penal Code stipulates that, any person who commits theft without violence or threats shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of six months to two years and a fine of 2 to 5 times the value of the stolen property or one of these penalties.