The suspect, identified as Emmanuel Karenzi Hakizimana, was found at home by security and local officials as they were inspecting the implementation of the directives to fight COVID-19.

The search came about when it was discovered that some people in this neighborhood in Rusave Village, were selling alcohol in their homes during the lockdown period.

According to officials, while searching in his home, officials found Hakizimana eating meat that looked strange and his attempt to deny the officials’ entry raised more suspicions.

"He held a knife and threatened to stab whoever tried to enter. Security eventually subdued him and a search of his home was conducted," said David Muhigirwa, the executive secretary of Nyakariro Sector, where the incident took place.

During the search, officials found other body parts of a ten-year-old and proceed to take the suspect into custody ; they later established the deceased was a child from a neighboring home.

"He killed the child and decapitated the body, eating some of the organs which he first roasted," said Muhigirwa, saying that this was a strange case that investigators are still probing to establish the circumstances around it.

Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) spokesperson, Marie Michelle Umuhoza said that the suspect is in detention at Muyumbu RIB post, and he is being charged with murder and desecration of a corpse.

The suspect’s parents said that the 27-year-old man had been living in Uganda since he was 15, and only returned about eight months ago. It is also said that he has been showing abnormal behavior since his return, but he was not taken to any health facility.