Authorities in Gatsibo District are searching for three community security officers, locally known as ‘Abanyerondo’, suspected of beating a man to death after accusing him of stealing bananas.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening, January 18, 2026, in Bihinga Village, Kabarore Cell, Kabarore Sector.
Kabarore Sector Executive Secretary Jean Claude Rugaravu told UMUNOTA that the suspects fled the scene after assaulting the victim, a man estimated to be in his 50s, who later died from his injuries.
He said the three community security officers are currently being sought by security agencies and had not been arrested by the time of reporting.
According to Rugaravu, residents said the man was attacked over allegations of theft, although he was not previously known for criminal activity.
Rugaravu warned against taking the law into one’s own hands, stressing that mob justice is a criminal offence punishable under Rwandan law.
He urged community members to report suspected crimes to security organs instead of resorting to violence, noting that early reporting could have prevented the death.
Eastern Province Police spokesperson SP Hamdun Twizeyimana confirmed that the suspects are on the run and that the case has been handed over to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
He said the community security officers fled after the incident and are now under investigation by RIB.
The body of the deceased is being held at Kiziguro Hospital, where a postmortem examination is underway ahead of burial.
