News, Politics

Gambia: Yahya Jammeh Was Ready To Die, Says NAF Commander

(JollofNews) – The Nigerian Air Force’ (NAF) contingent deployed in the Gambia to secure the nation’s presidential transition said Thursday ousted former ruler Yahya Jammeh was ready for war  to prolonged his stay on power.

Nigerian Air Commodore Tajudeen Yusuf, who leads 77 airmen and 20 officers, who were among the over 200 personnel sent by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said if not for the intimidating air power deployed by the subregion, ex-president Jammeh would have refused to step down and put up a fight.

Jammeh left the country after refusing for weeks to recognise his electoral defeat to Adama Barrow, who returned to The Gambia as president from Senegal last week.

Commodore Yusuf told reporters at the Nigerian capital Lagos : “What they saw at the State House in Banjul and Jammeh’s private residence in his home village of Kanilai clearly showed that he was ready to die and even cause the death of innocent people.

“We conducted the operation with deterrence and diplomacy. When we gained access to the State House, from what we saw, Jammeh was prepared for war.

“But for the airpower that we showed, as we were the first country to show up at the Gambia, he would not have stepped down.

“For now, we have won the battle but it’s left for the political leaders to win the peace and stabilise the country. The forces we left there are to basically stabilise the Gambia and integrate their forces in the security arrangement.”

He added: “They will continue to be there until stability is achieved and the ECOWAS leaders decide that all security forces of other nations stand down.”

13 Comments

  1. If dictator Jammeh refuse to step down, Gambian people are ready to die for interest and integrity of this nation. We thank ECOMIG for there mission in our lovely nation

  2. No small war, and always post war is = regret,,,Many thanks to the true pacifists, negotiators with good heart towards Gambia have been Messrs. Abdel Aziz and Mr. Conde, while others said and wanted an unnecessary war witch could end up with hundreds of thousands of innocent lives and a war for years, The one that said war war is why they have fled the country had birmingham and Dakar but Allah has saved us, ecomig was going for civilians especially women, only fools trusted them

  3. It would have been a far, far better sight to see Jammeh take his last breath and to see him getting way after looting Gambia 12 million big ones – what is the price for freedom if you are Gambian? I know of no people on this planet whom would have been prepared to paid the Gambian price! Think of it this way how much suffering can $12 million alleviate under today’s Gambian economic situation. How many Doctor, Midwives, Teachers, Police Officers, public service, judges, agriculturists, industrialists, land reclamation, malarial drugs, etc, can be bought for $12 million, and you begin to see if indeed Gambian as a whole really had a good deal, or just the elite had some short term gain to sell to the world. Remember all of the above that could have been had for the $12 million are long-term benefits – it was all a big ripoff, if you ask me!

  4. Scared.. that profile name suits you, the Gambia has taken a turn for the worst, let me hear what you will say in a few years time, you will be crying back for the legendary Yah ya. the Gambia will be in chaos soon, while your oil will be stolen by France(Senegal) the rich will get richer while the non-educated get poorer. Good luck.

  5. Attn: His Excellence
    Mr. Yahaya Jamah
    Former President of the Gambia.
    C/o. Jollofnews.

    Dear Sir,
    The management and staff of LUNKEM INTERNATIONAL LIMITED here by congratulate you for the wonderful decision you took to step down in power and to avoid any bloodshed.
    We are all West African brothers.
    Thank you.

    Lucky Uchendu
    CEO
    Lunkem Int’l Ltd.
    242 Amuwo Odofin, Festac Link Road Lagos
    Nigeria
    Tel: +234 803 328 1448
    +234 802 217 1291
    Alternative email: lucky.uchendu@lunkem.com
    Skype: lucky.uchendu2
    Website: http://www.lunkem.com

  6. Attn: His Excellence
    Mr. Yahaya Jamah
    Former President of the Gambia.
    C/o. Jollofnews.

    Dear Sir,
    The management and staff of LUNKEM INTERNATIONAL LIMITED here by congratulate you for the wonderful decision you took to step down in power and to avoid any bloodshed.
    We are all West African brothers.
    Thank you.

    Lucky Uchendu
    CEO
    Lunkem Int’l Ltd.
    242 Amuwo Odofin, Festac Link Road Lagos
    Nigeria
    Tel: +234 803 328 1448
    +234 802 217 1291
    Skype: lucky.uchendu2

  7. If ECOWAS leaders have not been determined to end this whole crisis through peaceful means, by diplomacy and show of force, there was a high tendency for war that would have seen Mr. Jammeh treated like all those troubled leaders before him.

    Thank the Leaders of ECOWAS who gave Mr Jammeh a last chance to avoid a blood bath on Gambian soil. It was very clear right from the beginning that no one wanted war but Jammeh. He said ECOWAS has declared war on his country after deciding that they will uphold the result of the election by all means necessary.

    Mr. Jammeh did failed his own government with so much mistakes. But those mistakes where signs pointing to the end of his reign. Let Gambians now be ready to use this freedom they have gained to renew their focus and realign with the international community in a way that will bring honour and development to gambia and for all Gambians.

    Why should Mr. Jammeh store up weapons in his kanilai home at the same time request that he be allowed to stay there when he first conceded. Was he going to allow the new government to sweep his hope for any weapon that might have been there? Was he going to allow the new government to detail security to his village? He was definitely up to something but by God’s intervention, he rejected the result and lost every hope he had.

  8. It is a disgrace to Nigerian Government and it people.that’s why Africa will never moved forward backwards ever.there are many innocent people killing in Nigerian everyday n night were are the Nigerian soldiers and three president useless .Boko-Garamond is killing innocent children ,didn’t the soldiers know were they are ?yes they know (BAsTed).All the (countrys)that went to destroy our beloved country in the name of politics are foolish.Go around that 3countrys and see what is going there(fucking u)tolk is keep just wait and we will do to that(wheel Barrows)the collision president.because he not the gambia president by thepeople voice.out of 1.million people only 45%v him.55% no to him were is the voice of pEople.we give him on 1year or live the office or be humiliated in front of his supporters.you know a (weel barrow)can only carry the load of it size.

    • Bravo to the Ecowas and the Ecowas Armed Forces,(Diplomacy and Muscles), the way to go. Coup- d’tat must be abolished in West Africa and throughout the continent of Africa. In particular, military coup and governments has always been disastrous in the continent, they always legitimize the overthrow of civilian governments by accusing them of corruption, but they usually turned out to be the worse. Removing a Democratic elected governments by force must not be allowed to florist in Africa. Compete at the ballot box if you disagree with a ruling party. Ecowas must be strengthened and the rest of Africa should follow their example.

    • You are funny.

  9. The voice of Gabians has been finally heard,and one significant factor is that blatant Corruption and mass killing government led by the so call “bridge builder ” alias skake professor yahaya Jameh has been slapped in the face. The 11million dollars he looted must be spen wisely. Because his days or numberd and I’m highly convinced that those innocent souls you’ve masterminded their killing will forever torment you.

  10. be hear oposin each oda has no use. Lets work 2ward developin of our nation

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