Thursday 14 September 2023
PRESS RELEASE
On behalf of the supporters and the entire membership of APRC Babilimansa, the National Executive Committee (NEC) expresses our shock and sorrow, and we strongly condemn the shooting and killing of our men in uniform who were carrying out their routine lawful duties in the form of night patrol to protect lives and properties of The Gambian people. This Incident happened on Tuesday 12th September 2023, around Sukuta-Jabang Traffic Light.
As peace-loving Gambians, we are shocked by the tragic and cold-blooded murder of two officers from the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) namely PC Pateh Jallow and PC Sang Gomez, and the serious wounding of WPC Officer Ancy Jawo currently being treated at the Ndembane clinic in Bakau.
We are equally searching for answers as to why, and how, such callous acts were possible in our country that was once known to be the Smiling Coast of Africa. We strongly call on the government of the Gambia to immediately investigate this matter and bring those responsible to book.
We send our prayers and condolences to the departed souls and their families, friends, and loved ones. We wish the injured officer a speedy recovery. Ameen!
We are horrified by this brutal act, and we reiterate our commitment to peace, safety and security of Gambians especially our men and women in uniform who are supposed to protect lives and properties of the citizens. We express our solidarity with them and always pray for their safety.
If men in uniform are not spared in Gambia anymore, how about the lives of Gambian citizens? The former president of the Republic of The Gambia H.E.Sheikh Prof. Dr. Alhaji Yaya A.J.J.Jammeh, before leaving to Equatorial Guinea, advised the government of H.E. Adam Barrow not to compromise with the security of the Nation . However, this Incident, and previous shootings at our officers on duty, clearly justify Jammeh’s concerns about the security of Gambian people. The Government of Adama Barrow did very little to prevent the recurrence of assaults on our serving men and women.
May Allah the Almighty restore the peace and security that the Gambia was ever known for. Ameen!
Finally, we express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and livelihoods in Senegal in the latest political turmoil. We pray for a peaceful resolution to the matter. Events in Senegal do often bear consequences in Gambia and vice versa. It is in our interest that both states are run my patriotic and competent leaders, something we currently lack.
Signed:
Honourable Yaya Tamba
Interim Party Leader and Deputy Party Chairman
APRC Babili Mansa