Gitega : a series of suspicious deaths alarms the population

The province of Gitega, located in central Burundi, is plagued by a wave of mysterious deaths. Since November 2024, at least thirty bodies have been found in various localities across the province, an alarming figure that fuels fear and uncertainty among the population.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The latest case is that of Antoine Ndikumana, 61 year old, whose body was discovered on Friday, March 21, 2025, in Rutegama village. According to the deputy chief of this village, Léonidas Nduwarugira, the poisoning theory is favored. The victim reportedly vomited blood and other blackish substances before succumbing. A suspect, Éric Niyongabo, who allegedly shared a drink with him, was arrested and taken to the cells of the Gitega police station.

A disturbing repetition of events

This tragedy is part of a series of gruesome discoveries shaking Gitega. A few days earlier, on March 17, 2025, the lifeless body of Nestor Niyongabo, 57 years old, was found in Kagari village, in the district of Nyarusange. For several months, bodies have been found in mysterious conditions, and the causes of death often remain unclear.

A province turned into a “cemetery”?

Faced with these repeated deaths, many residents are beginning to refer to Gitega as a “cemetery province,” a term that reflects the growing anxiety and sense of insecurity. Some fear a resurgence of unsolved criminal acts, while others suggest settling scores or ritual crimes.

Authorities urged to react

Despite the police opening investigations, the victims’ families and the public are waiting for clear answers and concrete action. Residents are calling on the authorities to intensify investigations, strengthen security, and identify the real causes of this wave of unexplained deaths.

The mystery surrounding these successive deaths remains unsolved, and only a thorough investigation will shed light on what is really happening in this central Burundian province.

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Residents of Rutegama at a town center where Antoine Ndikumana’s corpse was discovered (SOS Médias Burundi)