By Fatou Sillah
The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has announced the interception of 29 individuals attempting to migrate irregularly during a coordinated operation carried out across Barra and surrounding communities in the North Bank Region on Monday.
Among those arrested were 17 Senegalese nationals, 8 Gambians, 4 individuals from Guinea Conakry, and 1 Malian.
According to a statement from the GID, Lamin Jammeh, a Senegalese national, was apprehended at Barra. Jammeh, who admitted to acting as a sub-agent, provided crucial information that led GID officers to three additional suspected migrants on the Essau highway.
“The arrested individuals include, Lamin Jammeh, a Senegalese national, was arrested at Barra. Confessing as a sub-agent, Jammeh led GID officials to three suspected migrants on the Essau highway,” the statement said.
The statement further revealed that in Mbankam village, officers arrested the primary agent, Abdoulie Jahateh, commonly known as Papa Lie. Jahateh disclosed that more migrants were being held in Bakalarr village by Alfousainey Sonko, a self-proclaimed marabout. Sonko was found to be harboring 13 suspected migrants.
“In Mbankam village, officers apprehended the main agent, Abdoulie Jahateh (commonly called Papa Lie). Jahateh disclosed that more migrants were in Bakalarr village, under the custody of Alfousainey Sonko, a self-proclaimed marabout. Sonko was found harbouring 13 suspected migrants,” the statement continued.
Additionally, the GID questioned Pateh Sarr, a boat builder from Barra, regarding a wooden boat intended for use in the operation. The boat was later discovered to be unfinished.
The GID commended the local communities for their continued support in combating irregular migration and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the lives and livelihoods of Gambian citizens.
“Pateh Sarr, a known boat builder from Barra, was questioned about the intended wooden boat, which was later found unfinished. The GID extends its appreciation to the communities for their continuous support and reaffirms its commitment to combating irregular migration while safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of Gambian citizens,” the statement concluded.