Rubavu teen arrested for killing woman with banana support pole

By The Inspirer.

A 16-year-old boy in Rubavu District has been arrested for allegedly killing a 43-year-old woman by hitting her on the head with a wooden pole used to support banana trees.

The incident happened on the evening of October 12, 2025, around 7:20 p.m., in Kabingo Village, Musabike Cell, Kanama Sector.

According to Evariste Nzabahimana, the executive secretary of Kanama Sector, the teenager was apprehended shortly after the incident while attempting to flee.

“The suspect had gone to the woman’s home to steal a wooden pole used to support banana bunches. When she caught him and questioned his actions, he struck her on the head, killing her instantly,” Nzabahimana said.

He expressed condolences to the victim’s family and urged residents to remain calm, avoid violence, and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.

The victim’s body was taken to Gisenyi Hospital for a postmortem examination, while the suspect remains in custody at the RIB Kanama Station as investigations continue.