Three people have been arrested in Nyagatare District in connection with theft of cows on Sunday night.

It is said that the trio identified as William Muhinda, Sam Gakwerere and Theogene Rudasingwa stole four cows from two separate kraals in Karama Cell of Karangazi Sector on Sunday night.

According to Inspector of Police Emmanuel Kayigi, the police spokesperson for the Eastern region, the victims immediately alerted police after noticing that the cows were missing.

"We immediately dispatched officers as part of the investigations, who, at about 6 am on Monday, found the three men taking the cows to a cattle market in Rwimiyaga,” IP Kayigi said.

"The officers managed to arrest one of them – Muhinda – while the two others escaped, but they were also arrested today morning (Tuesday) in Karama, where they were living together.”

He said that the cows were also returned to the rightful owners.

According to Kayigi, cattle theft, that used to be common in the past, is no longer a big issue in the region.”

"Residents have actually owned the fight against this kind of theft; whenever it happens, they inform Police but they also communicate with those residing along the border and in cattle markets. It has in a very commendable extent, played a lead role in fighting cattle theft in the districts of Nyagatare and Gatsibo, which were the most affected in the past,” IP Kayigi said.

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