Nyabikere : three murders in four days plunge Shombo into fear

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, August 20, 2025 – A gruesome series of murders has rocked the district of Shombo, in Gitega province in central Burundi. Within four days, three men were found dead in the Nyabikere area, in circumstances of unprecedented violence, plunging the population into fear and incomprehension.

A herder killed after selling his cattle

On Tuesday, August 19, the body of Melchiade Nzeyimana, 48 years old, from Ngugo village, was discovered near the buildings of the Nyabikere district high school. According to several witnesses, he was killed after selling a cow. His body bore signs suggesting strangulation, as blood was found in his mouth.

Successive and brutal murders

Three days earlier, on Saturday, August 16, Cuma Ndikumana, 50 years old, a resident of Taba village, was found tied to a tree, abandoned by his attackers.

The next day, Sunday, August 17, the horribly mutilated body of Joseph Nyamweru, 42 years old, a resident of Muhororo village, was discovered. The man had been savagely attacked with a machete all over his body.

A population in shock, authorities call for calm

Faced with this wave of mysterious crimes, concern is growing in Shombo. Residents denounce persistent insecurity and are outraged that no suspects have yet been arrested. They demand serious and swift investigations to identify the perpetrators of these murders.

The district administrator of Shombo confirmed these murders and indicated that the police had opened an investigation. He calls on the population to be patient and cooperate until the investigations are completed.