Authorities have arrested Bakary Badjie, the Assistant Manager at the Barra Ferry Terminal, after he allegedly assaulted a sick fire service officer in what witnesses described as an unprovoked attack.
The victim, identified as Essa Charreh, is a fire officer attached to the terminal’s intelligence unit. He is said to be on medical leave due to ill health but had visited the terminal to check on his colleagues when the incident occurred.
Eyewitnesses told JollofNews that the confrontation began when Badjie asked Charreh to leave the premises. Charreh reportedly refused, saying the terminal was his workplace. According to witnesses, Badjie then struck Charreh in the face, causing him to fall and bleed heavily.
“It was a brazen and unprovoked attack,” one eyewitness said. “Essa is very sick. His department decided to keep him attached to the intelligence unit instead of sending him home because of his condition.”
Sources familiar with the matter allege that tensions had long existed between the two men. “This is not the first time Bakary Badjie has done something like this,” another witness claimed. “He has a history of being aggressive. I once saw him fight a person with a disability and another who was visually impaired.”
Following the alleged assault, Charreh was rushed to Essau District Hospital for treatment. A formal complaint was filed with the police, leading to Badjie’s arrest and detention at the New Essau Model Police Station.
The incident has drawn strong criticism from ferry users and members of the public, who are calling for greater oversight and accountability among terminal staff. Many have also questioned the safety and conduct of management personnel at public facilities such as the Barra Ferry Terminal.
Police investigations into the case are ongoing.
