Rwanda National Police has revealed that the arrest of a terrorism suspect, Muhammad Mugemangango—who was recently shot dead by police in an attempted escape—led them to a number of suspects who are currently in police custody, while others are still at large.

Munyengango, 39, was shot shot dead on January 24, when he jumped off a police vehicle in what is believed to have been a suicidal escape attempt, according to Police.

The suspect had been in custody at Kanombe Police Post, and had been taken to his home in Kimironko, a Kigali suburb to search it.

On the way back, he jumped off the vehicle but he was shot. The incident took place on Kimironko-Mushumba Mwiza road.

While addressing journalists, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Theos Badege, Commissioner for Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said interrogations conducted revealed that Munyengango had a connection with terrorist jihadist network operating in the region.

"The evidence obtained after the arrest of Munyengango led to the identification and arrest of several other suspects in connection with the terror network,” said Badege, adding that evidence gathered include mobilization and jihadists teaching materials such as books, CDs and social network messages.

"Available information revealed that some of the suspects are beyond the country’s borders,” Badege added.

In a sideline interview with The Sunday Times, Police spokesperson Celestin Twahirwa, said local security organs will work with Interpol and regional police institutions to track the suspects and bring them to justice.

"This is the first jihadist incident we have had in Rwanda,” said Twahirwa. 

According to Police Munyengango and Jihadists groups” immediate aim was mobilization, recruitment and facilitating those radicalized to join ISIS other than attacks on Rwanda.  

"We thank the public for the valuable information that facilitated in security organs to detect, arrest and dismantle  the terrorist network at an early stage,” Badege said, while assuring that there was no more security threat  in the country.

Police calls for public vigilance, denunciation of radicalization and timely sharing of information relating to security incidents.

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