Rwanda National Police

On Saturday, April 9, Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with local leaders and residents in Kanyamukenke village, Mutanda cell of Cyabingo sector, Gakenke District, arrested two men who were masquerading as employees of Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and vandalizing electricity infrastructure.

They are Edmond Sibomana, 39, and Valentin Iradukunda, 26, who were arrested with three cash-power meters, electricity breaker and electric cables.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO) said that the duo was arrested following information provided by the affected residents.

?The suspects were impersonating REG electricians and they made some residents believe that they were in electricity maintenance. They started stealing electric breakers, cash-power meters and cables connecting houses on the national grid," SP Ndayisenga said.

Suspicious residents decided to call the Police and they were arrested with the vandalized and stolen equipment, he added.

At the time, the suspects were also found were electric pole climbing gears including ropes and shoes and others tools which they were using.

SP Ndayisenga commended the vigilance of the residents, who shared information that led to the arrest of the suspects.

He further urged the public to protect public infrastructures and report anyone that vandalize them.

The suspects were handed over to RIB at Cyabingo station for further investigation

Article 182 of the law determining offences and penalties states that any person, who maliciously demolishes or damages in any way, in whole or in part of construction, building, bridge, dams, water pipes and their routes, railway rails or any other means of communication or electric power infrastructure, wells or any other constructions which do not belong to him/her, commits an offence.

 Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years with a fine of not less than Frw3 million and not more than Frw5 million.