Two intelligence collaborators have been reported missing after being abducted. Where were they taken? Are they still alive?
The individuals concerned are Vincent Nsengiyumva, nicknamed Master, and *Anicet Nsengiyumva. Both disappeared on Friday, May 22, 2026.
Identification of the missing persons
1. Vincent Nsengiyumva
Vincent Nsengiyumva is a 33-year-old man originally from Manga hill, Kabarore commune, Kayanza province. Since 2008, he had been residing in Musaga, Mugere commune, Bujumbura province. In December 2025, he moved with his family to Kinama neighborhood, Ntahangwa commune, Bujumbura.
He is a player for the unit of the Burundi National Police commonly known as Rukinzo, and he also collaborates with the National Intelligence Service (SNR) as an informant. His intelligence activities were mainly focused on the Gatumba border area between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In recent times, he was also involved in illegal fuel trade from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
2. Anicet Nsengiyumva
Anicet Nsengiyumva is a 44-year-old man originally from Kabuye, Buraza commune, Gitega province. He currently resides in Kizingwe Bihara neighborhood, Ruziba zone, Mugere commune, Bujumbura province.
He is widely known as a collaborator and informant of the intelligence services. In the course of his activities, he used a Toyota Voxy vehicle, license plate FA 9379.
Circumstances of their disappearance
According to the information gathered, the two missing individuals were in the company of a colleague named Franck, an agent or informant of military intelligence (G2), also mainly active in the Gatumba border area. He resides in Musaga, Mugere commune, Bujumbura province.
In summary, the three men were close friends and regularly collaborated with the intelligence services as informants.
On the morning of Friday, May 22, 2026, Franck asked Vincent to take his Toyota Voxy to Buyenzi for mechanical repairs before they would go together to Gatumba. After the vehicle was repaired, Vincent returned to pick up Franck at his home. They then went to Gatumba together.
In the afternoon, after leaving Gatumba in the same vehicle, Franck and Vincent headed to MINA RESTO BAR, located in Nyabugete I neighborhood, where they planned to spend the evening.
Along the way, their colleague Anicet contacted Franck by phone to inform him of an opportunity, referred to in their intelligence jargon as a “deal,” involving the seizure of smuggled pagnes. Franck reportedly replied that he could not take part in the operation without first informing his superiors.
Upon arrival at MINA RESTO BAR, the two men settled on the upper floor of the establishment to have a drink.
Shortly afterward, Anicet arrived in his own Toyota Voxy, license plate FA 9379. He joined them at their table and ordered a drink.
However, around 7:00 p.m., Anicet received a phone call. His caller asked him to come downstairs to meet them. Anicet then asked Vincent to accompany him, stating: “You are a commando, come with me to see these people. They seem suspicious to me.”
Franck remained alone at their table.
Vincent and Anicet then went downstairs together. This was the last time they were seen.
During the night of the same day, Anicet’s vehicle was found abandoned near Lake Tanganyika, on the Nyabugete Beach side. The vehicle was open. Inside were the mobile phones of Vincent and Anicet, as well as the car keys.
The vehicle was later recovered by the police and transferred to the Kanyosha police station.
Testimonies and questions
According to several local sources living near Nyabugete, witnesses reportedly saw individuals in a white double-cabin pickup truck heading toward Lake Tanganyika. These individuals allegedly intercepted Vincent and Anicet before quickly leaving the scene with them.
These reports are currently under thorough investigation. Our organization continues its inquiries and will provide further updates as soon as verified and reliable information becomes available.
To this day, no one knows the fate of Vincent Nsengiyumva and Anicet Nsengiyumva, nor their possible place of detention or captivity.
Questions remain regarding the possible involvement of their colleague Franck. According to information gathered during the investigation, he reportedly did not raise any immediate alarm despite his statements that he had gone down to look for them but failed to find them.
The families of the two missing individuals express deep concern for their safety and are calling on the competent authorities, including the National Police and the National Independent Human Rights Commission (CNIDH), to conduct a serious, independent, and thorough investigation in order to determine the whereabouts of Vincent Nsengiyumva and Anicet Nsengiyumva, as well as the conditions in which they are being held or detained.