EASTERN PROVINCE

KAYONZA  — Armed thugs this Tuesday night robbed Bank Commerciale du Rwanda-BCR-Rwamagana branch of millions of different currency notes after putting the bank’s staffers at gun point.

The robbery comes barely days after thugs tried unsuccessfully to rob Bank Populaire of Kayonza that led to the death of one thug in an exchange of gun fire with security operatives.

According to sources at the bank, the thugs went away with about Frw43 million, $27,000 and Euro200.  

Sources told The New Times that five men armed with about three pistols and two pangs effected the robbery but none was arrested. However, all the bank staffers who were on duty have been arrested and are held at Rwamagana police station pending investigation.

The bank’s security officer only identified as Alan, without divulging details said investigations were still on-going but referred our reporter to their public relations manager for details. However, efforts to contact their public relations officer were futile.

Meanwhile residents and merchants in the area were surprised at the way the robbers beat the security detail at the bank to hold bank staffers and customers at gun point during the robbery.

It has since emerged that the bank guard only identified as Mohamed later disappeared together with the thugs after a successful quick robbery.

 The security agents in the area have also expressed surprise at how such a deal could succeed in a short time without firing a single bullet or any body sounding an alarm.
The staffers were reportedly found lying under tables with their hands chained.

By Thursday after noon normal operations at the bank were yet to resume; there were many clients stranded waiting to be served.

"I came all the way from Gatsibo to withdraw money from this bank, I have been here all day, I have no transport to take me back,” one client said at around mid-day.

Ends