Police in Musanze District have arrested two people suspected of killing a teenage girl after defiling her on Christmas Eve.

The 14-year-old victim was identified as Xaverina Nyirangambi Nikuze. She was a primary school pupil.

On the fateful day, Nyirangambi reportedly left home and headed to a nearby trading centre in Kinigi to see a tailor, who was sewing clothes that her family members were to put on during Christmas Day.

Her body was found in a nearby forest around Rwebeya River, Musanze District.

The suspects, both residents of Nyange Sector, Musanze District were identified as Theogene Munyaneza, 20, and a 17-year- old boy only indentified as Siborurema.

Munyaneza who is considered the prime suspect was arrested on Tuesday after eluding capture for over two weeks. He had fled to Uganda and turned himself in at the Rwanda-Uganda border post of Cyanika.

Superintendent Christopher Semuhungu, the Police Spokesperson, Northern Province, said they worked with their Ugandan counterparts, local leaders, residents and the media, which later forced the suspect to surrender.

"Our preliminary investigations led to the arrest of one of the suspects but because of the sustained manhunt for the key suspect, he eventually reported himself to the police through Cyanika border,” Semuhungu said.

"Both suspects admitted their role (rape and murder) and say they acted under the influence of alcohol,” he said.

The suspects are said to have been members of a notorious gang that had been terrorizing Kinigi residents.

Munyaneza said the day before they committed the crime, they had looted Irish potatoes which they later sold to get money to buy alcohol.

"We seduced the girl and took her to the forest. We gang raped her and when she screamed, we feared she could report us hence killing her,” said Munyaneza, adding that they used a knife to cut off one of the victim’s ears.

The suspects will, according to Police, be charged with murder and defilement, which on conviction carries a life sentence with special provisions.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw