By: Kemo Kanyi
The Anti-Crime Unit of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) Tuesday said it apprehended members of a criminal gang, which has been notorious for terrorizing people within the Greater Banjul Area (GBA) and beyond.
The Commander of the Anti-Crime Unit, Asst. Commissioner Momodou Sowe, told a press conference yesterday that five individuals, who were part of a ‘terrifying’ criminal groupspecialized in burglary, were arrested by the police late last month.
“On 25th July, our patrol team encountered an armed robbery attack at Brufut Heights at around 3 a.m. When the team responded, they were able to arrest one of the robbers. During the investigation, the arrested [individual] revealed the names of his accomplices. The rest of the armed robbers were arrested the following day at one of the apartments in Bijilo,” Commissioner Sowe informed journalists.
He named the arrested suspected armed robbers as Ebrima Bah alias King aged 18, Assan Sowe alias Sisco aged 22, a 23-year-old fisherman Sheriff Dibba alias C Boy, 20-year-old plumber Muhammed Sowe, and Ousman Ceesay alias OC.
He said the police recovered three brand-new cutlasses, which were used by the men to threaten their victims, adding that police have also recovered two water-pumping machines, mobile phones, and a motorbike from the gang.
Commissioner Sowe informed the press that the suspected armed robbers stabbed a watchman during a break-in at BrufutHeights. He said the watchman was admitted to a hospital.
“Between the 4th and 24th of July, they attacked four compounds in Sanchaba. When they attacked, they threatenedvictims with weapons and took all their belongings like mobile phones, television sets, and other valuables,” the Anti-Crimechief said.
“Similarly, it was reported at Latriya police station that they hadattacked two different compounds; one in Jambur. So, this is a gang that has been terrorizing the whole of the Greater Banjul Area and the whole of the West Coast Region. They have been part of our keen intelligence monitoring and thank God, we have laid our hands on them,” he added.
He described the arrested men as notorious criminals some of whom “are currently on court trials while others have jumpedtheir court bails”.
“Ousman Ceesay (OC) was part of the inmates, who broke fromthe Mile II prison and escaped and is currently having a case at the court,” Commissioner Sowe stated.
Meanwhile, the five arrested individuals have been charged with various offenses, including attempted murder, robbery with violence, burglary, wilful property damage, attempt to commit a felony, conspiracy to commit a felony, and receiving stolen property.
Commissioner Sowe said they will appear before the court soon.
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