Not only is the public’s trust and confidence in the state security apparatus eroding for their alleged, and in some cases, confirmed involvement in incidents of unlawful and brutal killings of innocent civilians, but also in The Gambia government for failing to do justice to some of those cases. 

The inept approach or better still seeming reluctance of relevant Gambian authorities, including the offices of the Inspector General of Police and Ministry of Justice no doubt leave us in a situation of despair and hopelessness. 

Sometimes, we could not help but give consideration to the Ghetto saying that ‘there is no justice for the poor.’ 

For instance, on Friday Dec. 16, 2011, Manjai Kunda exploded into chaos following the killing of 22-year-old Alpha Omar Bah, who died about five days after he was allegedly tortured by three men identified to be agents of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA).

This was preceded by similar incidents in Bakau where agents of the anti-narcotics agency  allegedly tortured a young man  Cherno Alieu Sawareh, who died 11 days in hospital after the brutal torture meted out on him and in Numuyel village where personnel of the Police Intervention Unit tortured a 30-year-old to death. 

It has been reported that the youth of Manjai, who were angered by such a brutal act, took the law in their own hands and attacked the Manjai Kunda police post. 

Not a soul was hurt in the attack, though some damages were reportedly caused to the properties, such as television sets at the police post.

Swiftly, The Gambian authorities have arrested 21 of those allegedly involved in the attack. 

Last week – few days after the incident - they were arraigned at the magistrates’ court in Kanifing to face justice.  

Unfortunately, the more brutal criminal act of apparent murder, which triggered the attack is still shrouded in mystery. 

We have been told by the police spokesperson that only one person has been arrested. Worst still, that suspect is not an anti-narcotics agent. He is said to be a civilian.

It is clear that witnesses to the crime though could not identify all the three men involved, yet they could not be mistaken in reporting that the attackers were agents of NDEA and are attached to Manjai police post.

Infact, one agent Jarju’s name prominently featured in the saga. He is said to have fled to Casamance, Senegal. But the police spokesperson claimed that  his office was not aware.

This case cannot be treated like the Bakau incident. The state should be seen having interest in pursuing further with this matter. 

We have seen instances in which the state dispatched investigators as far as Europe and Guinea Bissau to dig into suspected criminal conducts, while those that happened under government’s own nose are still unresolved.
 The public is watching!!!