A criminal riding on a motorcycle stabbed and killed a 22-year old man in Nyagatare District, Police said.

Ivan Rukundo was moving from a nearby trading centre to his home at 8.30pm when the assailant attacked him, according to Police.

The incident took place in Gasange Cell of Rwempasha Sector last Wednesday.

Steven Rutayisire was on the same motorbike with the deceased when they were attacked.

‘‘The motorbike stopped at a small bridge, before unknown assailant stabbed him in the head,’’ Rutayisire said.Rukundo later died on his way to Rwempasha health centre.

"We were heading home when suddenly the rider stopped. He called the attacker from the dark who stabbed Rukundo and vanished immediately. We shouted for help but he had already disappeared,” Rutayisire narrated.

IP Emmanuel Kayigi, the Eastern region Police spokesman, said the incident only reinforces Police resolve to increase its presence in communities.

"It’s unfortunate that the young man died in what up to now remains a mysterious circumstance. We are investigating the case thoroughly and will come up with concrete information. We intend to increase police presence in communities…such a criminal wouldn’t have escaped if the police was nearby,” said Kayigi.

Area residents said that the area where the murder took place is a den of criminals.

"All sorts of people gather in the trading centre where illicit drugs and alcohol is business. They carry machetes and are extremely dangerous to the general public.

‘‘We call on the authorities to demolish the illegally established centre. This is a haven for criminals,” Vianney Butera, a relative to the deceased said.

The trading centre where the man was killed is known as Kazizane, but was nicknamed ‘Kwepikinonko,’ literally meaning, ‘be careful of flying objects.’

Meanwhile the Police have arrested the motorbike owner and said they were closing on the prime suspect.

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