The duo of Jean-Paul Nikobari and Jean-de-Dieu Hategekimana was arrested on Thursday, February 11, in Rwosezero Village, Munazi Cell in Save Sector.

Nikobari and Hategekimana are prime suspects in the recent incident when they ambushed one Enock Manishimwe, stole his laptop and money amounting to Rwf150, 000.

Manishimwe is a student at the University of Rwanda-Huye campus.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that Manishimwe was ambushed at about 6am as he was headed to the campus for lectures.

"The victim reported the alleged theft, Police and local leaders worked together to locate and arrest the two suspected thieves," SP Kanamugire said.

According to the spokesperson, Nikobari and Hategekimana are part of the group behind similar criminal activities in Cyezuburo swamp, Rwaza Cell in Save Sector.

"Police managed to identify these two suspects because of the joint efforts to respond to residents’ complaints about a group of thieves operating in this swamp," SP Kanamugire said.

"In response, a community patrol was put in this areas which made it easy to know these two suspects. With the help of local residents, we have also identified other individuals connected to this group and the search to take them into custody is also still going on."

Hakizimana and Nikobari have been handed over to RIB at Save station.

In article 166 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, any person convicted for theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.

However, in article 167, the penalty doubles if the theft was committed by more than one person or at night.