Three people were arrested in Bugesera District after they allegedly attempted to kill a police informer, Zachariah Nzabakurana, who is based in the area.

Manasseh Matabaro, 46, and Faustin Sekamana, 30, were red-handedly arrested on Sunday night by police as they raided Nzabakurana’s home at about 10:30p.m to execute their plan.

Another accomplice, one Nteziryayo, 34, was arrested in Rwamagana District yesterday morning, where he was hiding.

The arrests followed a tip-off from an informer, who had been contacted by the trio to help them with the murderous plan.

One Maniraguha (another name withheld), who had also been contracted by the trio to acquire a vehicle for them to transport the body, said that the suspects had told him to dump the body either in River Nyabarongo or in Ruhengeri.

"They told me to get a vehicle for them that would transport the body and they agreed to pay me Rwf200, 000 for the service. The plan was that they would abduct Nzabakurana, put him in the car and kill him on our way (to where he was supposed to be dumped).”

He said that he contacted police and was told to play along but prolong the exercise until the alleged culprits were arrested in the act.

Maniraguha was recently released from jail after serving three years, which followed his conviction for using counterfeited currency.

"I learnt a lot while in jail; I know what it means to commit a crime and the consequences and I could not stand to see bloodshed.”

Following the tip-off, police monitored telephone communication between the suspects.

 The trio admitted to the crime and accused Nzabakurana of spying on them.

"Yes, I had planned to kill him so that I can embark on my business of dealing in kanyanga (a local illegal brew) uninterrupted,” Matabaro said.

Matabaro accused Nzabakurana of causing him losses when the latter notified security agencies in the district that he was dealing in the illicit brew.

"They confiscated my molasses and I wanted to revenge for the loss I incurred,” said Matabaro.

At the time of their arrest, they were found with a knife, a 20-litre jerry-can of kanyanga and military fatigues.

Police Spokesperson, Supt. Theos Badege, noted that the police-public partnership has helped in unmasking criminal acts and urged the public to continue the spirit.

Ends