Four suspected persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of Alhaji Momodou Tunkura in Farafenni, North Bank Region.
The four are Lamin Gaye, the principal suspect, Bafoday Sisawo, alias Mbacke Faal, a supposed marabout, Fabakary Gassama, alias Buba Gassama, and their landlord Sherriff Dibba.
Residents of Farafenni are yet to come to terms with the gory incident, which took place early Wednesday morning (12th May), when Alhaji Momodou Tunkara, a prominent businessman, was allegedly killed on his way from performing the early morning prayers.
Chief Superintendent Malamin Ceesay, the officer commanding Major Crime Unit at the Gambia Police Force, speaking at a press briefing held at the police headquarters in
He said when they received the information, a team was sent to Farafenni to investigate the matter, and upon arrival at the scene of the reported crime, they discovered some exhibits namely, a bloodstained stick and bloodstained clothes. He said some people recognised the clothes as belonging to a compound from one of the suspects. OC Ceesay said the team then visited a compound, which is just opposite the scene, and Dibba told them that he knows nothing about the incident.
However, when they entered the house of Bafoday Sisawo, who was at the time not in the house, a bloodstain was discovered on the carpet.
As a result, the investigation team had the notion that these people must know something about the matter. When they asked about the whereabouts of Sisawo, the team was told that he travelled to his native village, Alkawtarr in Niani, Central River Region.
The team gathered that Sisawo had hired a seven-passenger vehicle shortly after the incident, to take him to his village.
This was communicated to the police in the area and, subsequently, Sisawo was arrested and sent back to Farefenni.
Following Sisawo's arrest, further investigations revealed that Lamin Gaye was involved, but he had absconded to Kaolack, in the neighbouring
Through consultation with the Senegalese authorities, Lamin Gaye was arrested on 16th May 2010 in Kaolack, and extradited to Farafenni, where he confessed to killing the deceased, but gave the police no reason for killing him.
Meanwhile, the police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Sulayman Secka, thanked the Senegalese authorities for their cooperation. He also urged the public to be providing information with regards to crimes.