Dear Sir,
I wish I could write to you in my mother language Mandinka but I have the feeling that it will not be published if I did so hence choosing to go the usual way of the Queen’s English.
Please be reminded that Police officers play a central role in the law enforcement system. They monitor criminal activity, take part in community patrols, respond to emergency calls, make arrests, interviewing suspected criminals, taking statements, writing crime reports, dealing with paperwork, gathering prosecution evidence, giving evidence in court, fostering good relationships with the public, patrolling areas by foot and car, investigate crimes and testify in court as needed.
It is in that regards I write to you to register my total dissatisfaction as far beyond mountain Kilimanjaro as per the high increasing rate of murder, armed robbery, pickpocketing, theft and rape in the new Gambia that we dream would be the last place of hope on earth.
As we are in a democracy state but not a dictatorship or a military regime, the police are democratically and constitutionally conferred with the powers to protect the citizens of The Gambia. You as the head of the Gambia Police Force are to guarantee the safety and protection of the President in particular, and Gambians and their properties in general as far beyond all human satisfaction.
I submit to you that the citizens are not safe anymore as the rapid increasing of unconstitutional behavior of people who take the law in to their hand threatening the peace and stability of the smiling coast of Africa.
Is that The Gambia Edwards Francis Small fought for? If Small were to arise from the grave yard on see the killings, robbery, theft and rape happening in The Gambia that he dream would one day be heaven of peace. I am quite sure that he will regret the sacrifices he made to see The Gambia where one day her citizens will go to bed at any time and live without fear for being robbed.
How do you do the above requirement when lawlessness, murdering and especially armed robberies, are on the power? You are very much aware of the fact that prevalence of peace and tranquility and safety of the citizenry goes a long way to tell or measure how successful one’s presidency or administration has been. This is in addition to creating jobs for the people to better their standard of living and curtailing or wiping off institutional corruption and other criminal practices from the society.
If one is not safe inside and outside their home due to the fear of being rape and attacked by thieves and armed robbers, how will they have confidence in the President and his administration for doing a brilliant job? Is it not a popular saying among some Gambians that if you are hungry, starving but feel safe and are peaceful, you are much happier?
In another note I learnt with dismay that a herdsman at Sabi village, Upper River Region, has been arrested and placed under custody for allegedly chopping off the head of a woman. It was mentioned that the accused claimed that the boy insulted him, then he took a cutlass and threatened to chop off his head.
Sir, the above mentioned incident show a clear testimony that The Gambia is not at peace therefore you and your administration have a task to execute to ensure the safety of all citizenry despite of their tribe, race, location and political ideology.
The purpose of the police service in the state of nature is to uphold the law fairly and firmly, to prevent crime, to pursue and bring to justice those who break the law, to keep the Sovereign’s peace, to protect, help and reassure the community, and to be seen to do this with integrity, common sense and sound judgment.
The rate at which crime is increasing is quite alarming. Theft and rapes seem to have become the order of the day. It is quite baffling that in spite of the security measures taken up by the government. There appears to be no respite. What is more shocking is the fact that these crimes are being committed in broad daylights, particularly robbery. Moreover, the dowry deaths which seemed to have come down a year back, has again shown an upward trend.
Crimes against women and children have increased various during the recent past. This alarming rate of increase in crimes is a cause of concern for all right thinking citizens in the country. Lack of moral educations, propagation of violence in violence in films and television serials, irresponsible police behavior and a desire for easy money or undeserved prosperity in life is some of the reasons that lead to crimes.
This situation must be tackled before it is too late. A multipronged strategy should be developed to check crime in society. The public at large and the students in particular should be educated and told to respect the sanctity of life and individual liberty. The police force need to be educated to handle the situation intelligently and sympathetically. The media should be forced to play a responsible positive role.
The Gambians deserve to live in a state without the fear of being stalked by bandits. Therefore there is a need for creating safe places for all citizens’ recreation that will prevent them from getting involved in any criminal activity.
Sincerely,
Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Blogger/Activist/Watchdog.
Inspector General, Landing Kinteh,
I’m “happy” that you have resorted to what you accused President Jammeh of: “detention of the opposition without charge over the constitutional 72-hour period”
I’m also “happy” that you have started to harrass APRC leaders and members calling the Party leader FaBakary Tombong Jatta for unwarranted questiong, an accusation you normally tarnished President Jammeh of.
One thing I know is that, you are working under the directives of Mai Fatty, your Minister. Fine. Keep abusing the rights of our APRC members. That way you are making us stronger and more cohesive! May Allah the Almighty (SWT) bless President Jammeh and all APRC followers. AMEEEEEEEEN.
Babu Soli, I keep reminding you about a simple fact: That Yaya Jammeh is now ex-president and accepting this reality will make overcoming the humiliating defeat at the 2016 polls much easier for you.
I have listened to Mr Fabakary Tombong Jatta’s statement at his house and I am satisfied that his invitation for questioning by the Police does not raise any concerns whatsoever. Even he has admitted that he was treated with the utmost respect by the Police and that he would have left the station much earlier, if he did not talk so much to explain himself.
Mr Jatta, according to his own testimony, spoke about a matter relating to National Security on a public platform and that is the reason for his invitation by the Police. This is normal, standard Police practice anywhere. His own APRC Administration would not have accorded him such respectful treatment if he had dared to question their human rights record, even as the Majority Leader. Your charge of “abuse” and “harassment” of APRC Members against the government has not been substantiated and therefore dismissed as malicious propaganda.
Bax,
STUPID. How many APRC applications to hold rallies were turned down? How many APRC boys were asked to close their night activities in Brikama and other Kombo towns because the police felt they were “disturbing” the peace?
Look, Bax, stop lying and saying something you have little or no knowledge of. I was in the Gambia and all avenues for the APRC to reorganize were deliberately curbed/closed by the police.
The APRC has to take the bull by the horn, make the police and Mai Fatty to understand that they cannot stand by their democratic and constitutional way. They like it or not.
You are continuously making stupid allegations about the past. Does that give you the right to curb/curtail people’s fundamental rights today if you believe in the LIES you vetted on President Jammeh?
Was it necessary to call FaBakary Tombong for questioning if it were not a ploy to threaten him and the Party?
Babu, I am not aware of any disruption of APRC Youth functions by the Police in Brikama and other Kombo towns, as I have not seen any news reports on such. You can direct me to any news sites that reported these incidents.
I remember the Police denying APRC permits because they wanted to celebrate July 22nd and I fully supported the Police in that instance. The APRC, as a legitimate national institution, has got nothing to do with July 22nd and should never attempt to celebrate it. July 22nd was an illegitimate military event that overthrew the constitutional government of Sir Dawda. It is our shameful past and it best remains in the past. We don’t want to be reminded about it in the current political dispensation.
What is stupid about stating an obvious fact. If Mr Fabakary Tombong Jatta had spoken against the disappearance of Madam Masireh Jammeh, sister of Yaya Jammeh and most likely, an APRC supporter, he would not have been accorded the treatment he got from the Police under this government. That’s a fact you don’t want to be reminded, but it is our duty to do so, as often as possible, because failure would be “criminal negligence” on our part.
I will fight for the right of the APRC to freely conduct their politics in the country, but the laws must be respected and person must show responsibility. No ifs; No buts.
Babu Soli
In my view, Mr Fabakary Tombong Jatta’s statement, that the detained soldiers were only detained because they are Jolas and support the APRC, is completely false and totally irresponsible. Quite apart from the fact that serving members of the Armed Forces are prohibited from openly demonstrating their political affiliation to any political parties ( flouting of which is legitimate cause for dismissal), the government has made no secret that the detentions are in relation to activities on social media, through a “WhatsApp” Group, that may compromise National Security. The detentions have nothing to do with ethnicity or party affiliations, even if the culprits may seem to belong to the same ethic group.
I would agree that the detentions do seem to be illegal, as they have exceeded the Constitutionally mandated 72hrs, and though justification has been advanced by the authorities through reliance on the Armed Forces Act, I think that is not convincing enough, as the Constitution is the ultimate Law of the land.
The Government, rather than indefinitely detaining these soldiers who have behaved unprofessionally, should simply sack them and any serving soldiers who still foolishly demonstrate loyalty to Yaya Jammeh, and in this regard, I hope Capt. Sulayman Jammeh (Aide of General Saul Badjie), who showed open defiance to the new dispensation by referring to Yaya Jammeh as, “Sheikh, Professor, Dr, Alhagie Yaya AJJ Jammeh, Babili Mansa”, at the Commission should be given his marching orders asap.
There should be no appetite for such defiance, especially at a Commission of Inquiry sitting to investigate the financial misdealings of Jammeh, particularly by a member of the disciplined force who may have partaken in this illegal criminal exercise that may have denied the nation much needed funds for development.
I hope General Masanneh Kinteh will not be rendered impotent by political correctness and has got the mettle to act when necessary. These unprofessional soldiers pose an existential threat to our National Security every single day they continue serving in the Armed Forces and should be weeded out completely.