The suspects arrested on Monday, December 14, are Hamuri Biracitse and his son Pascal Nizeyimana.

The engine, Yamaha 9.9hp, and fishing nets were stolen in the night of December 11, from Congolese fishermen in Lake Kivu, DR Congo side.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that following the alleged theft, Police Marine and Kivumu Police station in Rutsiro received credible information on some of the suspected thieves.

"Police, at about 3am on Monday, went to the house of Biracitse located in Bukiro, Kirambi cell in Kivumu Sector, Rutsiro District where the stolen items were suspected to be hidden. They recovered four rolls of illicit fishing nets and arrested Biracitse alongside his son," CIP Karekezi said.

He added: "During interrogation, Nizeyimana admitted to have been stealing nets and boat engines, in collaboration with other people. He, however, argued that he did not take part in this specific night raid and theft, but disclosed that he knew other members of the group behind the theft.

He led Police officers to a spot in the lake, where they normally hide items they steal. It is the same spot where the boat engine was found submerged held by a rope."

The suspects have since been handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Kavumu station alongside the exhibits.

"Law enforcement organs are working together to locate and arrest other two members of the group still at large. We call upon the general public with information of their whereabouts, to come forward as usual, so that the remaining suspects can be arrested to face justice," the spokesperson said.

In article 166, 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 carried out by more than one person.

Suspects with the boat engine and illicit fishing nets stolen from Congolese fishermen in Lake Kivu in DRC waters.