By Buba Gagigo
A woman residing in Jalanbang village, West Coast Region, is facing accusations of killing her co-wife and disposing of the body in a well following an ongoing dispute between the two.
Reports indicate that the deceased, identified as the first wife, had long-standing conflicts with the second wife. According to eyewitnesses, a child present at the scene witnessed the incident. During an argument, the second wife allegedly bit the first wife and then threw her into a well, leading to her death.Local journalist Ousman Camara, the first to arrive at the scene, shared with King FM that a nearby fire prompted individuals to rush to the compound, where they inquired about the first wife’s whereabouts. The second wife denied knowing her co-wife’s location. However, the child revealed that the first wife was in the well. Upon further questioning, the second wife reportedly dismissed the matter, stating it was not her concern if the body was in the well.
“The second wife is responsible for the death of the first wife. They had ongoing conflicts and frequently quarreled. A child at home witnessed the entire incident. During one of their arguments, the second wife bites the first wife and threw her into the well, resulting in her death. When a fire broke out nearby, people rushed to help. Some individuals who entered their compound asked the second wife about the first wife, but she claimed she hadn’t seen her. At that moment, the child, who had been at home, revealed that her mother was in the well. When confronted again, the second wife dismissively stated that it was not her concern if her co-wife was in the well,” Camara told King FM.
The Gambia Police Force later confirmed that the Nyambai Police were investigating the suspicious death of the 28-year-old woman, whose body was found in a well on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
“Preliminary investigations by the Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) revealed no signs of or drag marks near the well. Additionally, the dimensions of the well’s opening suggest the deceased was likely unconscious or already deceased before being placed inside,” the police said.
The authorities have confirmed that the body has been sent to the hospital for a full postmortem examination to determine the cause and circumstances of death. The police are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist with the investigation.