The Gambia Police Forces remained silent over the case of Kotu Senior Secondary School teacher arrested by personnel of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU).
Responding to a JollofNews request for comment, Police Spokesperson, Cadet ASP Binta Njie Jatta, said no charges have been pressed against Lamin Sillah, a teacher in Kotu SSS.
The Gambia Teacher’s Union (GTU) came up Monday with a statement denouncing the arrest of Sillah within the vicinity of Kotu SSS. The news sent shockwaves across the country as many people are still wondering what could have prompted security officers to make such a move.
When asked about the crime Lamin Sillah committed, the Police PRO remained aphonic, plunging into a resounding silence.
In an attempt to set the record straight, the teacher’s Union said “the unfortunate incident occurred on Friday 2nd December 2022 at around 2:00 pm when some PIU officers pursued a student of Kotu Senior Secondary School and arrested him.”
According to GTU, Lamin Sillah, who witnessed the sad turn of events, took the opportunity to “remind them on the need to observe basic operating principles and procedures.”
“This intervention led to the arrest of the teacher who was subsequently placed on handcuffs and driven around the community before being taken to the PIU station at Senegambia,” the union added.
Resolutely decided to defend Lamin Sillah, GTU made it very clear that the incident will not “go unchecked!”
As the country’s law enforcement body faces possible lawsuit, concerns are growing over the ability of some security to cope with the new democratic dispensation.