The high command of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) reveals in their preliminary report, following the probe on the coastal village of Sanyang’s violent riot incident of 15th March in retaliation for the death of their villager Gebriel Ceesay who was killed by a thief.

The police high command wishes to inform the public that, it has opened an investigation into the incident that ushered gloomy weather at Sanyang, the police indicated in their report that, the village police station was burned to ash and a taxi parked at the premises of the police station destroyed also case files, 13 fishing Boats, 9 Boats engines, 5273 fishing nets were burnt and completely destroyed. The report added that, a cash amount of about D8 Million Dalasis, 1 Million, Five Hundred Thousand CFA, and Thirty –Four Thousand Chinese Renminbi(RMB 34, 000)is suspected to be looted from the Nessim Fish Meal processing Company and from the individual residents.

The police report further reveals, a total of four motor vehicles including two pickups and two mini trucks were equally burnt down. The act of vandalism ,according to the police report stretches its ugly hands to the homes of 5 individuals in Sanyang who also have their properties destroyed including a mobile shop , the report stated that the mobile shop was broken into and  items estimated at Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand Dalasi were looted off.

At the moment the police have caught about 50 individuals in connection to the incident helping the police with the investigation, out of which 22 individuals have been charged with offence under the criminal code, the charged hangs on their neck includes , Arson, Rioters demolishing building, Rioters injuring building , Unlawful assembly , and Conspiracy to commit Felony .

“The GPF High command reminds the public that, in as much as the law provides for citizens to express themselves, they must do so within the confines of the law and in a peaceful manner” The report cautioned.

 

 By Alkali Cham