RUBAVU - Police in Rubavu are holding Assistant Inspector of police, Leonard Mudaherwa, the Nyamyumba sector police commander in Rubavu district for allegedly equipping an armed robber with an AK 47 machine gun and military uniforms, Sunday Times has learnt.

He was detained following the arrest for murder and armed robbery of Pierre Nsabimana, a former member of the Democratic Forces fror the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia.

Nsabimana was arrested by RDF marines on Friday night at around 23.00 hrs just two hours after he allegedly robbed and murdered a petrol station worker.

Sources said that upon arrest, Nsabimana revealed that he was armed by Mudaherwa in addition to giving him a military uniform, which he allegedly used to commit the crime.

Major Theodomir Bahizi, the acting commanding officer of RDF Marines, confirmed the development and added that both culprits are in police custody.

"Our foot patrol arrested Nsabimana in full military fatigue, armed with an AK 47 machine gun and 12 bullets. He revealed that he was equipped by Mudaherwa who is a police officer,” Maj Bahizi said.

Nsabimana defected from the FDRL in eastern DR Congo and was reintegrated into society by the demobilisation commission through Mutobo camp in 2005.

The Police spokesperson, Eric Kayiranga, confirmed the arrest of the two.

According to Kayiranga, Mudaherwa has denied the allegations saying he had arrested Nsabimana on suspicion of illegal possession of a gun and that Nsabimana had falsely accused him in revenge.

Kayiranga said that the case against Mudaherwa is still ongoing pending prosecution. Kayiranga added that "we have reason to doubt the allegations” because the gun that was recovered does not belong to police.

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