May 8, 1994: Interahamwe murder orphans at SOS centre in Nyamagabe

On the night of May 7-8, 1994, during the Genocide against the Tutsi, an awful attack occurred against Tutsi children hosted at the SOS Centre in Nyamagabe district. The facility hosted many orphaned children who were being raised under charitable care. With the assistance of Venuste Nyombayire, the head of the centre, the Interahamwe managed to identify the Tutsi children and ruthlessly murdered them on the fateful night.. ALSO READ: May 7, 1994: Killers rampage through homes in Nyanza A radical individual, Nyombayire had been transferred from Bugesera in 1992, where he had allegedly been involved in a pogrom against the Tutsi. When he reached Nyamagabe, he joined an extremist group comprising radical elements from areas like Musanze and Rubavu. The group played a key role in planning genocidal killings in the area, meeting at the SOS Nyamagabe facility which had spacious buildings. ALSO READ: May 6, 1994: UN declines proposal to send more troops to Rwanda On the fateful night of May 7-8, 1994, Nyombayire led a group of Interahamwe to the centre, collaborating with their teacher Venantie Kabarere in the heinous act of killing innocent children. Reports indicate that Nyombayire opened the room where the children were confined since May 6, having been identified as Tutsi targets. Approximately ten children fell victim to the attackers that night. ALSO READ: May 5, 1994: Catholic nun’s letter leads to massacre of Tutsi refugees at Sovu Monastery Following the massacre of the children, the assailants mercilessly targeted Tutsi staff members of SOS Centre who were on duty. Among them, security guard Nyirimirera lost his life. Subsequently, the attackers invaded his home, brutally murdering his wife and four children. ALSO READ: Survivors condemn release of Laurent Bucyibaruta In absentia, Nyombayire was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Gacaca courts on October 16, 2009.

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May 8, 1994: Interahamwe murder orphans at SOS centre in Nyamagabe