Police in Burera District have in custody forty people suspected of being behind the rampant cattle theft in the district.

Chief inspector of Police André Hakizimana, the Northern Region police spokesperson, said the suspects were arrested from various areas this week in both Cyanika and Kagogo sectors.

The arrest comes after atip off from locals who prompted police and local leaders to launch the crackdown which led to the arrest.

The suspects are currently being held at Gahunga police station. The number of stolen cows was not known by press time but it was said that in Cyanika sector alone, 10 cows were stolen this month.

"Cattle theft has been going on for long and it is not only in Burera, we have stepped up efforts to fight it to the very end. Our investigations are still ongoing and we may in the process arrest more culprits,” said Hakizimana.

Police also warned operators of butchers in the area to always be vigilant as they buy cows for slaughtering lest they end up buying stolen cows.