Rwandan police have announced the apprehension of gospel music artist, Kizito Mihigo, after being caught during an attempted escape from the country.

The singer would have successfully escaped if not for the intervention of villagers who stopped him and two other men during the process.

According to the BBC, Kizito has been banned from leaving Rwanda without permission because of a previous conviction.

Police say he will be charged with bribery and attempting to leave the country for the purpose of going to join a rebel group.

Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, a resident in the south-western Nyaruguru district said:

“I was there, I saw him. Villagers who stopped him said he was trying to cross to Burundi using illegal roads. From here to the border it’s less than five minutes’ walk.”

#Burundi : certains citoyens Rwandais n'ont pas la liberté de mouvement et de circulation. Le chanteur KIZITO MIHIGO vient d'être arrêté alors qu'il allait se rendre à l'extérieur du #Rwanda. pic.twitter.com/75BNKVVs3B

— SN News (@Snnews6) February 14, 2020

Kizito vs Rwandan government - What you should know...

Five years ago Kizito was sentenced to 10 years in jail after being convicted of planning to kill President Paul Kagame and inciting hatred against the government.

He was pardoned by the president in 2018 on condition he only leaves the country with judicial permission.

Source: BBC