RUHANGO – A man riding a stolen motorcycle was early Thursday morning shot dead when he attempted to ‘aggressively’ cross a Police checkpoint in Ruhango district.His identity remained unknown by press time as he was found with an identity card that does not belong to him, Supt Hubert Gashagaza, the Southern Region Police Spokesperson told The New Times.The motorcycle, an AG100 plate number GRM 109 C, belonged to Munanira Health Centre in Kinihira sector, Ruhango district.It was recovered in Byimana sector in the same district.According to security sources, Police in the area was alerted of the theft shortly after 2 a.m on Thursday, prompting makeshift checkpoints in the nearby area.And, at around 4 p.m, a man driving a motorbike with the same features as the stolen one was spotted by Police officers on duty in Kamusenyi cell in the nearby Byimana sector, Police said.According to security sources, when the officers stopped the man, he tried to run away with the bike.“An officer tried to prevent him from doing so,” Supt Gashagaza said.The man aggressively attacked the officer and he was shot dead in the ensuing scuffle, he added.The motorcycle was later returned to the health centre.Police recently issued a warning to motorcycle owners urging them to take responsibility of their properties to help put an end to thefts.In a recent interview, Supt Gashagaza told this paper that motorcycle theft remains a major problem in the province.According to Police, the stolen motorcycles are often taken to neighbouring countries, mainly Burundi.Supt Gashagaza urged the public to collaborate with security organs to end robbery.
