A 1-year-7-month-old boy died on Thursday afternoon after he was struck by a car at the entrance of his family’s compound in Bundung’s Six Junction area. The driver, identified by residents as Mustapha Jaiteh, was arrested at the scene and is being held as police continue their investigation.
The child, Momodou Boy Jallow, had been playing with other children at the gate when the incident occurred. His mother, Mariama Jallow, said she was inside bathing another child when she heard neighbours shouting that her son had been hit.
“We have forgiven because we believe that’s the only way out,” she said, still in tears. “I was calling him to come so I could bathe him. Within minutes I heard neighbours yelling that Momodou Boy Jallow is dead.” She said neighbours told her the driver was speeding through the narrow street moments before the crash.
A neighbour who witnessed the incident and spoke on condition of anonymity voiced frustration over what they described as ongoing problems with the suspect. The eyewitness claimed Jaiteh had a history of disputes in the area and had previously been involved in complaints at the local police station. They also alleged that residents believe he often avoids consequences, though these claims could not be independently verified.
According to the same witness, there had been an earlier disagreement involving the deceased child and the suspect. The child had accidentally fallen onto Jaiteh’s parked motorbike, damaging it, and the family compensated him at the time. The witness said this was mentioned by the boy’s father during the burial.
The neighbour added that residents are angry and feel the family’s forgiveness came under pressure because they are foreigners from Guinea. “Imagine Mustapha killed an innocent child through reckless driving and they happen to bail him just like that,” the witness said, also claiming that Jaiteh often boasted about having money and connections. These allegations remain unconfirmed.
Residents told JollofNews the vehicle Jaiteh was driving was unlicensed and that he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol when the crash occurred. Police have not yet issued a formal statement.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
The community remains in shock as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the tragic loss of baby Momodou Boy Jallow.
