Eight men calling themselves ‘Paracommandos’ arrested in Gicumbi

Police in Gicumbi District, in collaboration with other security agencies, arrested a group of eight men on Saturday, August 2, 2025, who called themselves “Paracommandos” for carrying out illegal gold mining activities and destroying residents’ farmland.

The suspects were apprehended in Bwisige Sector, Mukono Cell, where they were conducting unauthorized mining along the Gateke River, damaging farms and the surrounding environment.

The Northern Province Police Spokesperson, IP Ignace Ngirabakunzi, told Umuseke that illegal mining not only destroys the environment but also threatens the security and livelihoods of local residents.

He stated: “Illegal mining always causes environmental damage and can lead to conflicts between miners and residents whose property is destroyed. This creates potential security risks in the community.”

He added: “Here in Bwisige, residents have lost their crops and farmland because of these so-called Paracommandos. Police will continue to pursue anyone involved in such acts of vandalism and illegal mining to ensure they are held accountable.”

Rwanda National Police reminds all citizens engaging in illegal mining to stop these activities, emphasizing that collaboration with the public will ensure offenders are arrested and punished in accordance with the law.

Currently, the suspects are detained at Byumba Police Station awaiting further investigation by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).