MFI robbed, two killed

Amasezerano Community Bank, a micro finance institution (MFI) was last week invaded by six unidentified armed robbers who killed two people and stole over Frw5 million.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Police spokesman, Marcel Higiro.

Amasezerano Community Bank, a micro finance institution (MFI) was last week invaded by six unidentified armed robbers who killed two people and stole over Frw5 million.

The victims killed were Claude Niziyimana, 25, who was a staff of the bank, and one of their clients whose name was not identified.

The bank is located on the highway from Kicukiro SONATUBE to RWANDEX, near MINICOM.

The branch manager Daniel Mugabonake told The New Times that the appalling incident happened on Tuesday at around 8 p.m. when six men who disguised themselves as clients entered the bank, proceeded to the cashiers’ boxes and put them at gunpoint, ordering them to give them money.

"Everyone was in total shock and had no choice but to follow their orders,” said Mr. Mugabonake.

He added that two other robbers immediately entered his office and ordered him to direct them to where the money was, threatening to blow his head off.

"I was in a terrible shock and extremely scared having witnessed two people killed. I knew I was next. But, by God’s grace, they immediately disappeared before reaching the money.”

However, despite the depressing incident that claimed lives and the suspects not being identified yet, Amani Shirubute a staff of the Amasezerano bank says the situation is under control now; they are not very scared because the security is tight and police is carrying out investigations.

"It’s unfortunate that we lost our staff and client. We send our condolences to the families of the deceased,” said Shirubute.

Meanwhile, we were not able to get any comment from the police, as the police spokesman, Marcel Higiro, who had promised to comment, had switched off his mobile phone by press time.

According to an official from Amasezerano, the bank was founded in 2006, and currently has an estimated figure of 4,647registered members.

Ends