Four arrested for impersonating police, revenue officers
Monday, March 22, 2021
RIB have arrested four people who allegedly claimed to be officers of both Rwanda National Police and Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) . / Sam Ngendahimana

Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) have arrested four people who allegedly claimed to be officers of both Rwanda National Police and Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA).  The intention, according to RIB, was to steal money from a local businessman.

The suspects have been identified as Theogene Muhire, Ismael Mugwaneza, Francois Kabayabaya and Jean Bosco Nkusi.

In an interview with The New Times on Monday, March 22, Thierry Murangira, the Spokesperson of RIB, said that at the beginning of this month, a group of six people lied to one businessman in Gakiriro Market in Gisozi that they are police and RRA officers and accused him of not paying taxes.

He went on to say that they then asked the businessman to give them a bribe of Rwf10 million or else be imprisoned.

"To save his life, he told them that he could only get one million, and withdrew the money from mobile money. The next day, he reported the case to us.”

Murangira explained that Nkusi is the latest suspect to be arrested, adding that RIB is still looking for the remaining two people in the group of six.

He also denied some local media reports linking Nkusi’s arrest to politics, emphasizing that "Nkusi and his co-accused were arrested on charges of aggravated robbery and usurpation of powers.”

If found guilty, the suspect will be sentenced to between five and seven years of imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Murangira urged the public to be vigilant and not give in to any form of schemes.

"We advise the public to be wise and ask identification to anyone requesting them anything in the name of a given organization," he said.

He added: "We thank the public for giving us necessary information whenever such cases happen and we encourage others to do the same."