Police in Ngoma are holding a 29-year-old man who allegedly killed his seven-year-old daughter in a shocking incident.

The resident of Rukumberi Sector, identified as Didier Hategikimana was held at Kibungo Police Station.

The suspect later surrendered to Police said on Tuesday.

Eastern Region Police spokesman IP Emmanuel Kayigi said the suspect had lived in constant conflict with his wife and turned his anger to the daughter.

"Hategikimana admitted to have killed his daughter by strangling her on Monday supposedly out of depression and frequent quarrels with his estranged wife.

‘‘Under cover of night, he came to the local Police station and revealed the entire incident. We have arrested him on murder charges,” said Kayigi.

Kayigi said the man had differed with his wife prior to the incident prompting the woman to run away.

Kayigi further said the mother of the deceased, Esperance Umutoniwase, went into comma after learning of her daughter’s death.

"The suspect is a former soldier. This is a man who had several problems back in the day–as a child. They seem to have haunted him. He lived in depression but people should learn to solve issues before they get out of hand.”

Area residents said Hategikimana and his wife were embroiled in frequent domestic wrangles for years before separating.

"He claimed he was being neglected by his wife and other family members. Thus he was worried about his future and that of his daughter. He feared his wife will not take care of his daughter so he decided to kill her,” said neighbours.

Jean Damascene Ndikubwimana, a resident, lamented that the suspect showed no remorse when he was seen for the first time since the shocking incident.

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