By Buba Gagigo
The Gambia Police Force has announced an internal investigation into the escape of Ebou Secka, the alleged killer of taxi driver Ebrima Ceesay from Wellingara. The probe aims to determine the circumstances surrounding his escape.
“Internal investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading to the escape,” the police stated in a release on Wednesday.
Providing further details, the police explained that Secka had been remanded due to an earlier robbery case linked to him, in order to prevent unlawful detention while awaiting the outcome of the current case. However, on December 19, 2024, he managed to escape from police custody. Since then, authorities have been actively pursuing his recapture using all available resources.
“Faced with the challenges encountered by investigators, the suspect Ebou Secka was remanded over an earlier robbery case linkering over him to avoid illegal detention pending determination of the current case. Unfortunately, on December 19, 2024, Ebou Secka escaped from police custody. Since then, the Police have been actively pursuing the course of his arrest, applying all the modes at our disposal.”
Deputy Police PRO, Inspector Sainabou Manjang, speaking to King FM in January 2025, recounted the events leading to Secka’s escape.
“The police arrested the alleged killer, and all necessary arrangements were made under the supervision of Commissioner Sanneh. We were prepared to proceed with court proceedings, but the judge handling the case was unavailable. As a result, we decided to return him to the police station. However, given his history of escaping, arrangements were made to transfer him to the remand wing at Mile 2 Prison.
“He was handcuffed inside the vehicle, but while en route to the remand wing, he unexpectedly opened the vehicle door while it was still in motion. To our surprise, he threw himself out and managed to escape,” Manjang explained.
Authorities have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fugitive and bring him back into custody.