Theobas Habiyaremye, 25, and Faustin Nizeyimana, 18, were arrested in the night of February 6, in Murundi Sector, Buhabwa Cell in Gakoma Village with an Antelope, which they had killed.

The Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana said that two other poachers fled.

He added that the suspected poachers were reported by herdsmen, who were rearing cattle in the nearby farm.

"Herdsmen called the Police reporting a group of poachers that kill animals in Akagera or ambush them in the bordering farms. Police officers deployed that night arrested two of the poachers at about 1am, after killing one Antelope. Two others escaped in the process," CIP Twizeyimana said.

He added that the search for the two accomplices is still underway.

Habiyaremye and Nizeyimana, who hail from Rwimbogo Sector in Gatsibo District, were handed over to RIB at Murundi station.

CIP Twizeyimana thanked communities residing around the park for their role in fighting poaching and other illegal activities in the gazetted national park.

The law on environment of 13/08/2018 in its article 58, states that any person who hunts, sells, injures or kills a protected animal species and products thereof, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years and a fine of between Rwf5 million and Rwf7 million.