Respect Our Police – A Call for Unity and Decency

There is a growing and troubling tendency among some Gambians to look down upon our police officers, often dismissing them with the statement: “We pay your salaries.” This mindset is not only disrespectful, but it is also factually misguided and socially dangerous. Let us be fundamentally clear: every civil servant in The Gambia – from teachers to nurses, soldiers to police – is paid through the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is made up of taxes and duties contributed by all Gambians, including the very police officers being insulted. In fact, many police officers directly contribute through payroll taxes, indirect taxes on goods and services, and even license and regulatory fees. It is entirely possible that a police officer pays more tax than the very individual who arrogantly claims to “pay his salary.”

The police are not outsiders. They are not strangers “living off the people.” They are our people: our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, uncles, and neighbors. They walk the same streets we do, struggle with the same high costs of living, and share in the same national destiny. Their uniform is not a sign of superiority, but of responsibility – the responsibility to maintain law and order, often at great personal risk. A society that constantly disrespects its law enforcement institutions is a society that invites chaos. We cannot demand safety and peace yet ridicule and undermine those tasked with protecting both. To insult a police officer in uniform is not just an attack on an individual – it is an attack on the very fabric of law and order that holds our nation together. Criticism of misconduct is valid and necessary. Accountability is important. But blanket disrespect, public humiliation, and casual insults toward all police officers are unjust and counterproductive. Respect does not mean blind obedience; it means recognizing their role, their sacrifices, and their shared humanity.

To my fellow Gambians: let us rise above this habit of disdain. Let us treat our uniformed men and women with the same dignity we expect for ourselves. Respecting our police is not about inflating their egos – it is about preserving our peace, strengthening our democracy, and reminding ourselves that we are one people bound by mutual duty and respect. Peace is everybody’s responsibility. Respect is everybody’s duty.

Editorial: The Menace of Cyber Bullying and the Attack on Superintendent Lamin Sarr

In recent days, our nation has witnessed an alarming and dangerous trend: the use of online platforms to malign, insult, and defame individuals who are merely carrying out their duties to the nation. The latest victim of this toxic culture is Police Superintendent Lamin Sarr, a respected officer whose only “crime” was upholding the rule of law and ensuring public order. Superintendent Sarr, acting within the bounds of his mandate, dispersed unlawful protesters who sought to disrupt peace and stability. His actions were not personal. They were not political. They were in strict alignment with the laws of The Gambia, laws that safeguard our democracy, protect citizens’ freedoms, and preserve the peace we all cherish. When protesters ignored repeated warnings to disperse, Superintendent Sarr gave the order for their arrest. This was not an abuse of power—it was a lawful exercise of his authority. Those who defy lawful police orders and persist in unlawful assemblies face arrest and prosecution under Gambian law. That is how a nation governed by law operates. No individual or group has the right to flout the law and then vilify the officers who enforce it. And yet, instead of being commended for his courage and professionalism, Sarr has become the subject of relentless online harassment. Cyber bullies, hiding behind screens and false bravado, have chosen to defame his character, insult his person, and circulate malicious publications. Let it be stated clearly: those engaged in this online harassment are not exercising freedom of expression—they are committing crimes.

Cyber bullying, online defamation, and the deliberate circulation of falsehoods are prosecutable offenses under Gambian law. More than that, they are also violations of international cybercrime prevention conventions to which The Gambia is a party. Offenders may be held criminally liable, and prosecutions can extend beyond national borders. Those who believe that cyberspace provides them immunity are gravely mistaken. The law is clear: online abuse is a crime, and criminals will face justice. Freedom of speech, expression, assembly, and movement are indeed sacred rights guaranteed to every Gambian. But these freedoms are not absolute. They come with responsibilities. They must be exercised with respect for truth, for justice, and for the dignity of others. To abuse these freedoms by weaponizing social media against individuals is to betray the very principles of ethical governance and responsible citizenship. We must be clear: online platforms are not exempt from accountability. They cannot and must not be used as breeding grounds for character assassination. The circulation of defamatory material not only destroys reputations but also undermines trust in our institutions, weakens social cohesion, and threatens the peace we have worked so hard to maintain. Superintendent Lamin Sarr deserves respect, not ridicule. He represents the many men and women in uniform who stand between order and chaos, often at great personal risk. To vilify such an officer is to vilify the rule of law itself. We therefore call upon all Gambians—especially those active online—to reflect deeply on the power of their words and the consequences of their actions. We urge the relevant authorities to take firm measures against cyber bullying and defamation, ensuring that our digital spaces remain platforms for constructive dialogue, not weapons of destruction. Peace-loving Gambians should celebrate officers like Lamin Sarr, who uphold the law with integrity and courage. Let us rise above pettiness, resist the temptation of online mob justice, and instead build a culture of respect, truth, and responsibility—both offline and online. Because in the end, a nation that allows the destruction of its protectors through defamation will ultimately erode its own peace and stability. And those who believe they can commit crimes in the digital world without consequence should think again—the law is watching, both at home and

From Election Hero to Corruption Suspect: Police Recommend Charges Against Njai

By JarraNews Staff Writer

Alieu Momar Njai, the retired election chief once celebrated for presiding over the historic 2016 polls that ended Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule and forced the former dictator into exile, now finds himself at the centre of a corruption storm. Police investigators have recommended that the 91-year-old former chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) face charges of corruption and abuse of office. A ten-month probe, launched after auditors flagged suspicious transfers of over 301 million dalasis into private bank accounts of election returning officers, uncovered widespread financial mismanagement within the Commission. According to investigators, Mr. Njai personally authorised nearly 16 million dalasis in what they describe as unlawful allowances to staff. The report also recommends prosecuting IEC Finance Director Anthony Robert Secka for negligence and for approving irregular transfers of public funds into private accounts. Further findings point to procurement violations and an overpayment to a contractor worth almost $100,000. The police file, now with the Ministry of Justice for legal advice, could mark a dramatic fall from grace for a man once hailed as the guardian of The Gambia’s democratic transition.

Sanyang Remanded as Arson Case Heads to High Court

Radio Interview Lands Sanyang in Mile II

By JarraNews Staff Writer

KANIFING, August 22, 2025 — A dramatic turn of events unfolded at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court yesterday when Abdoulie Sanyang, who recently made controversial remarks on Coffee Time with West Coast Radio, was hit with four serious criminal charges and ordered remanded at Mile II Central Prison. Sanyang is accused of Arson, Seditious Intention, Incitement to Violence, and Obstruction of Judicial Proceedings under the Criminal Offences Act 2025. Of these, Arson — a capital offence carrying life imprisonment — dominated court arguments, as it stripped the Magistrates’ Court of jurisdiction. Acting Principal Magistrate Thomas Touray presided over the arraignment, where prosecutors pressed for the case to be sent to the High Court. They argued that although three of the counts could technically be tried before the Magistrates’ Court, all four should move together. The State further stressed that under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Act, Arson is non-bailable, and urged the court to remand the accused while awaiting trial. The application was granted in full: all charges were transferred to the High Court, and Sanyang was ordered to remain in custody at Mile II. This ruling marks the beginning of what could become one of the most closely watched trials of the year, given the gravity of the charges and the high-profile platform where the alleged offences originated.

Seven Navy Officers Dismissed Over Security Breaches

By JarraNews Staff Writer

BANJUL, 19 August 2025 – The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has discharged seven naval personnel with immediate effect after uncovering what military investigators described as deliberate misconduct and gross breaches of discipline that endangered national security. The dismissal, announced Wednesday, follows a series of high-profile arrests between May and June involving two speedboats and a yacht believed to have been used in activities that compromised the integrity of naval operations. Military intelligence, working alongside other security agencies, concluded that the seven officers were directly involved in unauthorized maritime activities linked to Altima Sea Sport Limited, a company nowinvestigation for activities inconsistent with its declared operations. According to findings, the officers prepared and launched vessels without authorization, coordinated movements in breach of duty, and benefitted materially—including cash rewards and livestock—while betraying the trust vested in them as servicemen. Cell-site analysis and corroborated testimonies provided irrefutable evidence of collusion.

The GAF named those dismissed as: Lieutenant (N) Abba Nyassi Fleet Chief Petty Officer (FCPO) Musa Dampha Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Ismaila Jobe Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Musa Jammeh Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Alagie Secka Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Ebou Marong Leading Seaman (LS) Lamin DK Sanneh In a statement signed by Acting Public Relations Officer Captain Kemo Kanuteh, the Armed Forces stressed that the action reflects its zero-tolerance stance on corruption, collusion, and any breach of military ethics. “These individuals acted in direct violation of their oath of service and posed a clear risk to operational security,” the statement read. “Their removal is necessary to preserve discipline, safeguard national interests, and maintain public trust in the Armed Forces.” The military leadership reaffirmed its commitment to discipline and professionalism, vowing to defend the sovereignty of The Gambia while ensuring that “indiscipline or misconduct of any kind will not be tolerated.”

Five Convicted in Jabang Drifting Case

By Staff Reporter

The Brusubi Magistrates’ Court has handed down convictions to five young men involved in a dangerous drifting incident along the Sukuta–Jabang Highway, a case that sparked public concern over reckless driving. The court imposed both prison sentences and heavy fines on the offenders. The sentences are as follows: Momodou Martin Sanyang: D25,000 fine and three years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Serigne Mass Gaye: D1,000 fine and three months’ imprisonment with hard labour on one count; D25,000 fine and three years’ imprisonment with hard labour onanother. Muhammed Bah: D20,000 fine (or two years’ imprisonment with hard labour in default) and an additional D25,000 fine plus three years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Ismaila Faal: D25,000 fine and three years’ imprisonment with hard labour on one count, plus D20,000 fine (or two years’ imprisonment with hard labour in default) on another. Samba Ceesay: D25,000 fine and three years’ imprisonment with hard labour. The court directed that Sanyang and Gaye, both juveniles, serve their sentences at Jeshwang Prison. The Gambia Police Force (GPF) welcomed the verdict, noting that it reflects the authorities’ determination to combat reckless driving and safeguard road users. The police commended the efforts of the Anti-Crime Unit, responding officers, and the Prosecutions Unit, while also thanking the Jabang community for its cooperation in apprehending the suspects. Police spokespersons reiterated that reckless driving, including drifting, will not be tolerated, and assured the public of continued enforcement to ensure safety on the country’s roads.