Rwanda National Police have for five days maintained a search for a suspect accused of stealing a mobile phone before fleeing into a large drainage tunnel in Ruhurura, Nyamirambo Sector, Kigali City. One of the two suspects has been arrested, while efforts to apprehend the second are ongoing.
The incident occurred in Ruhurura, located in Mumena Cell, Nyamirambo Sector, Nyarugenge District, near St Charles Lwanga Catholic Parish.
The tunnel is a vast underground drainage system constructed beneath a paved road, channeling rainwater and waste from parts of Nyamirambo. It runs under the Nyarugenge valley and empties into the Nyabugogo River.
The search operation is being carried out by Rwanda National Police in collaboration with the Professional Community Policing Unit, which has been deployed to secure all possible exit points of the tunnel where the suspects reportedly took refuge after snatching a phone from a resident.
Residents told The New Times that the operation followed the theft of mobile phones from two women, after which the suspects immediately escaped into the drainage tunnel.
One of the stolen phones is reported to be a Google Pixel, snatched from a woman who was holding it in her hand while returning home from work. The second phone was stolen from another woman whose handbag also contained an undisclosed amount of cash.
Kabera Daniel, 61, a resident of the area, said insecurity, particularly at night, remains a concern. “We often face security challenges in this area, especially at night. We are calling on the relevant authorities to intervene,” he said.
Residents believe the suspects remain in hiding inside the drainage tunnel.
Mercienne Mutegarugori, a vegetable vendor in the area, said the tunnel is suspected to have multiple exit routes that could allow suspects to evade arrest.
Gisele Irakoze, 24, said residents are often unable to intervene when such crimes occur. “They snatch handbags and phones and then disappear into the tunnel. You cannot follow them because you risk drowning or even losing your life,” she said.
She added that she was a victim of phone theft in the same area last year. “We hope that if police operations continue, such suspects will no longer find places to hide,” she said.
Kigali City Police spokesperson CIP Wellars Gahonzire said the operation began on the morning of February 4, 2026, shortly after the suspects committed the theft and fled into the tunnel.
“The suspects took refuge in the drainage tunnel, prompting police to secure all possible exit points and maintain surveillance,” Gahonzire said.
He confirmed that one suspect was arrested on Wednesday, while police continue to wait for the second suspect to emerge. “We chose to wait in order to avoid using unnecessary force,” he added.
Police identified the arrested suspect as Christian Iradukunda, 24, who is accused of stealing a Google Pixel phone. The second suspect, identified as Felix, is accused of stealing a woman’s handbag containing a Tecno phone and cash before escaping into the tunnel.
Gahonzire urged young people to engage in productive activities and avoid criminal behavior.
As of publication, Iradukunda was being held at Rwezamenyo Police Station.
