Omar
Bojang, the imam of Jambur village has on Monday testified before the TRRC,
giving accounts of how former president, Yahya Jammeh’s witch-hunt activities
stormed Jambur to the extent of detaining about 62 individuals, in 2009.
Born
in Jambur in June 1961, Imam Bojang explained that in 2009 witch-hunt
activities, he had two visitors from Casamance and one from Katong to pay their
condolences because his mother had died.
He
added that it was later that he heard some people drumming but he went to
inform his father that Yahya Jammeh asked them to do some prayers for the
village, and that he (father) was to lead the prayers.
“My
father narrated that when he went to the place, they told him that they should
go to the cemetery because they had to take something for the prayers. They
went and slaughtered a red cock and goat. They buried the cock and performed
their own rituals, and said anyone who plans to betray Jammeh will be cursed.”
The
witness continued that it was later that three people were seen dressed in red
holding some horns arrived with Solo Bojang to his house. He said they went to
his room and checked all over the place, on the grounds that they were looking
for something.
“They
reached my bathroom and called me. They saw some jujus and asked whether I do
some juju works. They said I was the cause for no progress of the youths in the
village. They asked me to go with them to the Bantaba. As we were going, they
met my visitors and took them along because they said I called them to prepare
some jujus to end Jammeh’s government.”
Imam
Bojang said upon arrival at the Bantaba, they were asked to sit on the ground,
while they went to capture some 62 individuals who were residents of the
village.
He
added that his father Imam Karamo Bojang and younger brothers Arafang Bojang,
Yaya Bojang and Yarakna Bojang were also captured, adding that it was around 3
p.m. that they sat on the ground till 5 p.m.
He
said upon arrival at Kololi, they were asked to make a line. He said that when
he entered the room, he found soldiers with guns and some men dressed in reds
with some concoction. He added that he was asked to drink and as he attempted
to remove a grass from it, he was militated.
“They
asked me to remove my clothes and they washed me with their water. They later
took us to a big room and asked us to sit on a tile, and after 5 minutes, I
became unconscious. It was the following day that they held my hand and took me
in a vehicle,” he said, adding that he could not remember anything other than
that.
He
continued that his one eye got a problem as a result of the incident, while
adding that one of his visitors from Casamance died after the incident.
Explaining
his 2001 election ordeal, Imam Bojang explained that it was during a particular
night, while he was relaxing at the Bantaba, the green boys came and started
beating them. He said the one that led them was called Lanluwa Conteh from
Faraba.
He
disclosed that he reported the matter to Brikama Police Station, but nothing
came out of it.
“According
to what I think, those were green boys and whatever they did was for the
service of the president. At that time, anyone that didn’t support Jammeh
will always be in trouble. There was a time I was insulted by someone and
nothing came out of politics.”
On
his concluding remarks, Imam Bojang called for unity and togetherness to build
a better country for all.
