By Buba Gagigo
Fanta Sillah, a Gambian residing in the United States, shared during an interview with Fatou Touray, the CEO of Kerr Fatou, that her family has made payments totaling over two million Dalasis (equivalent to $20,000 in the United States and D900,000 in the Gambia) to Red Carpet Solution. This substantial sum was intended to facilitate the travel of eight family members to Nicaragua.
“I initially aimed to assist my niece in her travel plans but encountered some obstacles. Upon discussing this with one of my cousins, he informed me about the Nicaragua Journey. I mentioned that I had heard of it and knew that Senegalese nationals were utilizing this route. He explained that opting for Senegal required obtaining a Senegalese passport, which would entail a significant waiting period. However, he informed me about an alternative route directly from the Gambia to Nicaragua. I found this option acceptable and inquired if his people were also considering this journey. He confirmed that they were, and since we are all part of the same family, I suggested that all of them should embark on the journey together,” she elaborated.
Fanta recounted how her cousin had mentioned someone named Aji Fatou, residing in the United States, who had connected her cousin with an agent by the name of Muhammed. She disclosed that her cousin had provided her with Aji Fatou’s contact number, prompting her to make the call.
She explained, “I inquired about the agent’s identity, and she informed me that his name was Muhammed Batchilly. I further asked if he belonged to the Sarahule ethnic group, to which she confirmed. When I asked if it was Musa Yali Batchilly, she clarified that it was not. I assured her that I would investigate further.”
Initially, Fanta explained that they were instructed to withhold the funds until the travelers’ arrival in Nicaragua, which was anticipated to occur on the 23rd of the last month, September.
“However, they later requested us to transfer the money earlier, warning that if we waited until the flight’s arrival, an additional two thousand dollars would be levied. My cousin and I sought the opinion of Aji Fatou regarding our trust in them, and she affirmed her confidence. Consequently, we entrusted her with a total of twenty thousand dollars (in American currency) for eight individuals. Additionally, we provided her with nine hundred thousand Dalasis in the Gambia,” she stated.
Fanta stated that the sum of nine hundred thousand was paid to Aji Fatou’s mother in the Gambia.
Fanta reported that the sum of nine hundred thousand was delivered to Aji Fatou’s mother in the Gambia. According to her, Muhammed Gaye, acting as the agent, collected the money not only from Aji Fatou’s mother but also from the additional three individuals residing in their compound. The total amount collected was approximately three million Dalasis. Muhammad, the agent, provided a receipt under the name of “Red Carpet Solution.” He verified that the receipt was signed by two individuals, namely Musa Yali Batchilly and Basamba Drammeh.
Fanta mentioned that ever since the money was paid, their relatives have remained in the Gambia. Batchilly and his associates have been providing inconsistent information.
“They keep giving us varying dates, today, tomorrow, and so on. I heard Basamba mention the need for more customers, but this wasn’t communicated to us. What we were initially told was that the flight would arrive in the Gambia last month on the 23rd. All the passengers proceeded to the airport, only to be informed later that the flight was postponed due to maintenance. Subsequently, they informed us about the requirement for a landing permit, and they later sent the request for a landing permit to our group.
“Batchilly assured us that he would visit the airport the following day, but I received no updates from him. When I called him the next day, he mentioned his intention to go to the airport and promised to call me back. I later reached out to someone at the airport, who informed me that Batchilly had spent less than five minutes there. When I tried to contact him, he didn’t answer. The following day, we had a contentious conversation over the phone. He subsequently blocked my calls, and so did his agent,” she recounted.
The Chief Executive Officer of Red Carpet Solution Company, Basamba Drammeh has confirmed that 235 people are involved and has set the 30th of October to fly the said passengers to Nicaragua.