What was expected to be a happy day of Christmas turned into a sad one for Nyange Sector residents in Musanze District after they received bad news of the death of a 14-year-old girl, whose body was found dumped in a nearby forest.

The deceased was identified as Xaverina Nyirangambi Nikuze.

Family members said Nikuze left home on Christmas Eve and went to the centre in Kinigi to see a tailor, who was sewing clothes for the family.

Nikuze’s body was found around Rwebeya River and was later taken to Ruhengeri Hospital for post-mortem, Police said.

Nikuze’s body was found naked, with bruises on the face, while one of her ears was severed, Police said.

The mood was sombre at the home of Jonas Ngirumpatse as hundreds of area residents turned up for burial.

"I last saw her when I was from the garden and she told me she was going to the tailor to bring the clothes she and her siblings were to wear on Christmas,” said Ngirumpatse, the bereaved father.

"We were later brought the sad news that she had been found dead in the forest. We found her naked with bruises all over her,” he said.

Nikuze was still in primary school.

Supt. Christopher Semuhungu the Northern Province Police spokesperson, said investigations into the killing were ongoing.

He said three people had already been arrested and are being held at Kinigi Police Station, adding that the prime suspect was still on the run.

Semuhungu said the prime suspect had been seen around the centre walking with the deceased before she was found dead and he has not been seen again.

"We also suspect the suspects had first raped her before they killed her,” Semuhungu said.

He urged parents and guardians to take care of their children and follow up on their activities, and keep them far from such gangs who may harm them.

Area residents and local leaders said that the prime suspect was a famous drunk man and drug addict.

Dr Deogratias Ndekezi, the Ruhengeri Hospital director-general–where the body was taken for post-mortem–said the autopsy results are only given to Police officials upon request and could not divulge what had been found in order not to jeopardise the ongoing investigations.

jmbonyinshuti@newtimes.co.rw