As the nation still reels from the macabre development of September 12, we join the rest of the country to extend our heartfelt condolences to the IGP, the bereaved families, and the entire police force on the doleful event.
The killing last week of two paramilitary officers is both condemnable and reprehensible.
Certainly, it marked a turning point in the country’s history as far as paramilitary/people relations are concerned.
Indeed, The Gambia has reached a crossroads as an attack of this nature on the paramilitary is unprecedented in the country’s history as far as the PIU is concerned.
While we would ideally choose to refrain from commenting on any possible motive of the assailant, it’s worth pointing out herethat the Sukuta/Jabang Traffic Lights shootings had brought the quality of paramilitary services to a sharp focus.
It’s quite unfortunate and disheartening to hear people gloating over and glorifying the senseless murder of the officers.
However, it’s also worth noting here that the quality of paramilitary services should be critically assessed following this horrendous attack.
There is no denying that there’s a deep-seated animosity against the PIU in many quarters because of the brutality with which they treat the members of the opposition whenever they go out to exercise their right to protest.
The paramilitary is not only seen as tear-gas-happy but they have become more callous and heavy-handed in their way of dealing with the regime’s opponents.
Since the killings, there continues to be an outpouring of anger and fury against the paramilitary.
This should offer the authorities the opportunity to soul-search and see how best to endear the paramilitary to the masses by enhancing the quality of services that they offer.
It’s everybody’s role to safeguard and nurture peace. The IGP and the Interior minister should use these killings and redirect the paramilitary from being a tool of oppression to an institution that will respect rights. The protection and nurturing of peaceshould be the preoccupation of all, including the government.
