Army Sergeant Badjie admits to killing, torture

By Adama Makasuba

Army Sergeant Amadou Badjie has admitted to partaking in the killings of the nine inmates, other killings and torturing of detainees.

Sgt Badjie was a member of the death squad of former president Yahya Jammeh and became third person of the hit squad to give testimony to a Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission investigating the human rights crimes and atrocities occurred under Jammeh’s 22-year rule.

Witness Badjie confessed his involvement in the killing of the 2012 nine inmates and witnessing other killings which he claimed of not taking part.

Meanwhile, he admitted to the Truth Commission that he participated in the torture of Imam Baba Leigh and Ba Kawsu Fofana while they were detained by the former regime.

“When Nuha Badjie interrogated him (Baba Leigh)…Nuha called us to beat him, then we took sticks and pipes and started to him.

I knew that it was wrong but in the army when your senior gives you command you only obey,” he said.

He however, asked for forgiveness from the two Imams- Baba Leigh and Ba Kawsu Fofana.

He said “I am seeking forgiveness from Imam Baba Leigh and Ba Kawsu Fofana to forgive me.”

However, he also explained how the former army chief of staff Ndure Cham was arrested that one Musa Johnson was the one who reported Ndure Cham’s presence at Faranni to State House.

He said the arrest team of Ndure Cham was led by Major Nuha Badjie, adding when they arrived at Farafenni that Major Nuha Badjie was in constant communication with Musa Johnson.

He said they arrested Ndure Cham at his garden, saying they met him (Ndure Cham) was arrested while cooking in his garden with Musa Johnson.

Mr. Badjie added they later took Ndure Cham to the National Intelligent Agency training room in Tanji where he said Cham was detained.

He later confessed that Ndure Cham was killed by the Jammeh’s death squad, adding that he didn’t participate in his killing.