As the fight against traveling through the Mediterranean Sea popularly known as the ‘Back-way’ intensifies, the State Intelligence Services  (SIS) in collaboration with the Illegal Migration Unit of Barra on  Monday 5 October  2020, have arrested at least 13 people suspected of illegally smuggling people to Europe via boat.

The suspects who are mainly Senegalese, are currently under police custody helping the police in their investigations.

According to a reliable source who wished to remain anonymous, the National Intelligence Service in partnership with the Illegal Migration Unit of Barra launched this operation to fight against irregular migration and all other forms of illegal activities in the country. He said SIS are always on 24-hour intelligence surveillance to bring culprits to book.

“This operation was prompted based on the intelligence reports from the command on some of the activities happening within the area. A team of SIS operatives were dispatched to Mbankam and Bakindikikoto ‘tendas’ (landing sites) respectively to lay an ambush for illegal migrants who might use this tendas to canoe their way to Jinack where they should board a boat to embark on a journey.

While conducting surveillance within the area especially at the tendas, our source said, no sign or trace was observed. “The team was later informed that unusual activities were observed at a compound near Barra church. Due to the team’s commitment in ensuring that their objectives are achieved, a case study was conducted and we realised that over 10 youths were discovered in one room in a manner which is not normal.

Quickly, a raid was conducted and luckily seven of them, including six Senegalese and one Conakry Guinean national were arrested, while some escaped arrest. I can tell you that currently manhunt for other escapees intensifies.

In a bid to establish who is behind or the main organiser, our source further added, a raid was conducted on one Yerro Bajo who was earlier profiled as one of the kingpins. “Yerro along with five others, all Senegalese were arrested in his house at Essau village.

After a marathon search conducted on the suspects, our source went on, items like compass, a box of plugs, a carton of soft drinks, a bag of Cafe Touba and some food stuff were found on them. “These items made us to draw a conclusion that Yerro and team were up to something.” The anonymous source broadly explained.

The source further disclosed that the initiative was spearheaded by one Yerro Bajo along with his Senegalese and Guinean counterparts and the journey was apparently on its final stage before their plan got oozed. He confirmed that over 20 Gambians have already paid him to embark on this perilous voyage.

“The suspects arrested are all captains who would help the principal suspect during the journey. He has, however, declined to give the exact day of their departure,” our source added “Yerro Bajo claimed to have spent 80m CFA which is equivalent to D640, 000.”

 

By: Fatoumatta Samateh