A man has been arrested in Sirari, Tarime District, following an incident in which he allegedly stormed a CRDB Bank branch and later attempted to snatch a firearm from a police officer, an act that triggered a security alert and sparked concern on social media.
The Tarime/Rorya Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Mark Njera, said the incident occurred on January 15, 2026, and involved a resident of Sokoni Village in Sirari, identified as John Kohe Amos.
His remarks come amid the circulation of a video clip online showing a police officer grappling with a civilian, which police say is directly linked to the incident.
According to the police account, the suspect arrived at the CRDB Bank Sirari branch at around 2pm and entered the banking hall while carrying a small bag.
He approached a bank teller and forcefully demanded to be given money without following established banking procedures, causing fear and tension among staff and customers inside the bank.
The situation prompted police officers who were on guard outside the bank to intervene. They ordered the man to step outside the premises, a directive he initially complied with. However, police said the situation quickly escalated moments later.
“While being escorted out, the suspect suddenly attacked a police officer with the intention of grabbing his firearm in order to confront the officers,” SACP Njera said.
“The officers managed to restrain and subdue him without using their weapons, despite the seriousness of the act.”he added
Preliminary investigations have established that the suspect was not a customer of the bank and did not hold an account at the Sirari branch.
Police said further inquiries are underway to establish his motive and the factors that drove him to carry out the incident, before other legal steps are taken.
Police have assured the public that security at financial institutions remains intact and have urged citizens to rely on verified information, warning against the spread of misleading content on social media that may cause unnecessary panic.