Police in Kagera Region are on a manhunt following a group of four armed bandits believed to have invaded Benaco village in Ngara District and robbed people of their properties at gun point.
Acting Kagera Regional Police Commander (RPC), Abel Mtabwa told the ‘Daily News’ in a telephone interview that the incident happened on Wednesday night.
According to him, a group of about four bandits who were armed with sub-machine gun (SMG) and hand grenades stormed the village at around 8.00 p.m. “The bandits invaded M-Pesa shop and robbed 2,040,000/- and several mobile phones from the shop keeper who was not immediately identified.
“The bandits also shot and wounded a Form Two student identified as Nilson Simon (15), currently admitted to Murugwanza District Designated Hospital, but was in stable condition.
We are still looking for the criminals and appeal for cooperation from ‘wananchi’, “he said.
Bishop Severin Niwe Mugizi of the Rulenge Catholic Diocese also confirmed the incident, adding that the bandits tried in vain to raid a Convent of St Franciscan Order at Benaco. “Fortunately, the sisters heard commotion and raised an alarm.
The bandits fired several bullets but there were no injuries,” he said. Abdul Kashalaza (45) and Minani Masuhuko (35), both traders at Benaco, on the other hand, narrated that a group of ten heavily armed bandits terrorised the village for almost three hours firing shots and throwing hand grenades.
“It was a terrifying incident.
The bandits were firing bullets randomly. Everybody was very scared. The bandits ordered us to surrender money and valuables threatening to shoot any trouble maker. It took more than five hours before police arrived at the scene,” said Masuhuko while tears running down his cheeks.
Leave a Reply