Army chief visits troops in Kanilai

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) Lieutenant General Yakuba A Drammeh has visited Gambian troops deployed at exiled former President Yahya Jammeh’s home village Kanilai.

The army said the visit was aimed to assess the Operational Readiness and achievement thus far registered by 4Bn and QRF 1.

In a full text from the army headquarters read “The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) Lieutenant General Yakuba A Drammeh on Tuesday, 8th February 2022 paid an operational visit to 4 Infantry Battalion (4Bn) situated in Kanilai. He was accompanied by the Commander Gambia National Army, Principal Staff Officers of the Defence and Joint Headquarters.

“The visit to the Foni Kansala District came on the heels of a recent deployment of a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to 4Bn to reinforce on an operation code named “Woullah Kokkon”. The operation is fashioned to intensify robust and confidence-building patrols in support of 4 Battalion within that general area of operations in order to reassure the civil populace living within that area,” the army said.

“As part of the activities marking the Flag Officer’s visit, combined operational briefings were held in the presence of the Orders Group (O Group) of 4Bn and QRF 1. The CDS also engaged the soldiers on very constructive and firm issues on current operations and other important matters. Furthermore, the CDS also paid a courtesy visit on the ECOMIG contingent in Foni where he shared fraternal words as well as paid heartfelt condolences and sympathy on the demise and causalities recently experienced, “army added.

“It could be recalled that fortnight ago, the said contingent was involved in a skirmish, which resulted in the disruption of normalcy within that belt of the country. Hence, the presence of the combined forces of QRF 1 and 4Bn has since encouraged local activities and business as usual within that general area.”