After several years spent in exile in different countries, including Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya, Viateur Nzigo is reported missing after returning to Burundi through legal channels.
Identification of the Victim
Viateur Nzigo is a 41-year-old man living on Gikwiye hill, Gasorwe zone and commune, in Muyinga Province. He is married and the father of six children. He is self-employed, mainly working in agriculture.
Politically, he is a former member of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL, later the FNL faction led by Agathon Rwasa. He experienced exile between 2015 and 2020, passing through Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya. He later returned to Burundi in 2020 through legal means without any incident.
Circumstances of the Abduction
In the night of March 23, 2023, Viateur Nzigo returned to Burundi and settled back at his home without any problems.
However, early in the morning, around 5:45 a.m., unknown individuals knocked on his door. After a child opened, armed men forced their way into the house and found Viateur Nzigo in his bedroom. He was immediately arrested and taken to a Toyota Hilux double-cabin vehicle, white in color with tinted windows.
The vehicle immediately fled the scene. According to witnesses, the abductors were four in number: three wearing police uniforms and one in civilian clothing. They were masked, making identification impossible. Some sources suggest the vehicle may belong to intelligence services.
Current Situation
Since his abduction, searches conducted by his family in Muyinga Province have yielded no results. It is believed that he may be detained in an intelligence detention facility in Muyinga, but no official confirmation has been provided.
Both Viateur Nzigo’s phone and his wife’s phone remain unreachable. His family, relatives, and friends are deeply concerned.
Appeal for Help
The family is requesting protection for Viateur Nzigo and insists that his rights be respected. If he is accused of any wrongdoing, they demand that he be brought before a court of law to defend himself.
So far, no official information has been provided regarding his whereabouts or the reasons for his arrest.
King Umurundi Freedom is calling on the National Independent Human Rights Commission of Burundi (CNIDH) to intervene and help clarify the situation of Viateur Nzigo and contribute to his protection.