Press Release
Following a formal complaint received at the Brusubi Immigration Post and media report published by the, The Voice Newspaper on May 30th 2025 on the alleged assault of one Alice Nyame, a 17-year-old resident of Ghana Town by an Immigration Officer, the Gambia Immigration Department (GID) informs the general public that an investigation, led by Commissioner Hamadi Jammeh of West Coast Region, had been conducted to verify the grounds of the allegations.
The investigation reveals that the incident occurred on the 28th May 2025 in Brufut Town during a routine patrol operation conducted by immigration officers through the Operational Order 2025 dubbed ‘Operation Fortress Borders and Stay Safe.’
At the said location, the officers encountered a group of men, including Alice Nyame, who were seated under circumstances that aroused suspicion. Upon the officers’ approach, the group dispersed, leaving her behind. This prompted the officers to conduct further enquiries to verify her immigration status.
The accused officer, along with a counterpart, engaged Alice to ascertain her identity. On assertion that her identification documents were at her residence, the officers patiently escorted her to satisfy the availability of necessary documentation. However, Alice subsequently exited the premises, claiming that her school identification card had been left at her educational institution.
At this point, the officers instructed her to accompany them to their supervisor for further directives, an appeal she refused to comply with, thereby exacerbating the situation. Recognizing the escalating tension, the officer directed the counterpart to contact a supervisor for reinforcement while employing minimum force deliberately avoiding greater resistance. It was during this altercation that Alice Nyame sustained minor injuries, specifically while resisting and flailing her hands. A senior officer arrived at the scene, assessed the heightened circumstances, and ordered the officers to withdraw to de-escalate the situation and prevent further unnecessary confrontation.
Our investigation reveals that the media reports circulating was issued by Mr. Emmanuel Dadson, the Secretary of Ghana Town Community Development Association who did not possess first-hand account of the incident. His report stands in stark contrast to the consistent testimonies provided by both Alice Nyame’s parents and the VDC leadership, who were physically present during the fact-finding.
In addition, the two independent witnesses who were physically present during the incident have provided consistent testimony that no assault of any nature occurred and that the physical dynamics described on social media accounts were factually inaccurate and misleading.
The investigation reveals that the escalation of tensions and the subsequent assault accusations stemmed from deeper systemic issues beyond the immediate incident. Many residents perceive this incident as an opportunity to amplify their grievances in the broader legal challenge of their status.
It is in record that on 29 October 2024, the Gambia Commission for Refugees (GCR), under the able leadership of Commissioner Ebrima Manneh, with support from UNHCR, conducted an assessment of the situation of Ghana Town residents in a town-hall meeting. The assessment indicated an urgent need for policy reforms or legislation to prevent statelessness and ensure legal protection for affected communities.
The assessment report was presented to the National Assembly Select Committee on Health, Disaster, Humanitarian Relief and Refugees on 11th February 2025 and the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 21st March 2025, indicating GID’s resolute diligence on their status.
The GID wishes to inform all citizens, residents and visitors of the Gambia that as custodian of immigration laws, the department remains actively committed to the enforcement of the Laws of The Gambia and safeguarding national security; while imploring on media personnel and sundry to be objective in handling deliberate attempts meant to undermine the reputation and operational integrity of the department. The leadership of GID reassures the general public of its continuous right-based approach in protection of human rights, national and human security.
Signed:
Inspector Siman Lowe
Public Relations Officer, GID
