Information reaching Foroyaa indicates that at least 5 members of the Gambia Armed Forces were arrested nearly three weeks ago and have since been detained at the Guards Battalion in Fajara Barracks, under the Military Police.
By Mustapha Jallow
A military source says that these soldiers who are currently under detention without trial include: Lieutenant Abdoulie Jarju, Staff Sergeant Baboucarr alias ‘nyakareh’ Sanneh, Lance Corporal Sambujang Bojang, Corporal Lamin Nyassi and Staff Sergeant Mbemba Camara, adding that Sstg. Camara was later moved to Yundum Barracks, where he is continuing his detention.
According to the source, the officers were arrested on different dates and times in relation to their involvement in a Whatsapp group.
‘‘Staff Sergeant Yorro Jatta and Sstg. Sanneh were the first officers who were arrested and interrogated by the MPs (military police) but later on, Ssgt. Yorro managed to escape and fled the country,’’ the source added.
At the time of going to press, GAF spokesperson Major Lamin K. Sanyang was contacted to enquire why the long detention of the soldiers or whether there are any charges being preferred against them, but the attempt to reach him on phone was unsuccessful as his cell phone kept ringing without any answer from him.
‘Tortured’ Gambian Soldier Removed From Hospital
Jollof Media Network, 15.08.2017
(JollofNews) – A detained Gambian soldier who was being treated at a military hospital for injuries he allegedly sustained as a result of torture has been returned to detention.
Lance Corporal Samboujang Bojang, spent 11 days in hospital where he was treated for injuries on his feet and hands.
His family said he was subjected to serious beatings while being questioned by officials of the State Intelligence Services (SIS), formerly the National Intelligence Agency ( NIA).
He was among a group of soldiers who were arrested last month for allegedly using WhatsApp to post audio recordings critical of the government.
https://jollofnews.com/2017/07/20/gambia-launches-crackdown-on-mutinous-...
The army said the soldiers were engaged in mutinous, defamatory, scandalous and unethical acts against the government of President Adama Barrow and had threated to come down heavily of those involved.
Since their arrest, the men have been held indefinitely and incommunicado without charge or given access to legal representation.
Although the government has tried to downplay the allegations of torture, Lance Corporal Samboujang Bojang’s wife, Sunkaru Jarju, said her husband had sustained various degrees of injuries in detention is finding difficult to walk.
“He still complains of pain on his feet. He is not physically fit,” she told the Foroyaa newspaper.
“When he was admitted in hospital he was denied family visits and I was the only one allowed to visit him for only five minutes.”
Mrs Jarju called on the authorities to launch an immediate investigation and bring to book those responsible to the inhumane treatment of her husband.