Barrister J Darboe urges IGP to investigate arson incident at Sanyang Eco-lodge

Counsel J. Darboe's call made to the IGP was contained in a letter dated 17 February 2026, where he said the suspected arson attack was reported to Sanyang Police Station but no visible action was taken.

"I act for Sanyang Development Fund (SDF) and write this letter on its instructions. It is my Client's instructions that a suspected arson attack completely destroyed Sanyang Eco Lodge, a community-owned property, on 27 January 2026," Counsel J. Darboe wrote to IGP on the suspected arson attack on Sanyang Eco-lodge.

He added: "This matter was reported at Sanyang Police Station but no visible action was ever taken."

Counsel J. Darboe disclosed that the Sanyang Eco-lodge is a registered charitable organisation domiciled at Sanyang, noting that his clients consider the incident as a serious and deliberate act and urge The Gambia Police Force (GPF) to launch a serious and exhaustive investigation into the incident.

Counsel Darboe further explained that the Sanyang Eco Lodge was built by a group of Spanish medical doctors who are friends of Sanyang on a 60/40 per cent share basis of profits realised, noting that the Spanish investors own 60% of the profits as investors and 40% for the Sanyang Community as the owners of the land.

He further states that the Sanyang Eco Lodge comprises of about 14 fully furnished and equipped rooms, stressing that it is a viable business, and operational all year, that analysis confirmed it can generate a minimum of three million dalasis revenue after expenses.

"The management of the Eco Lodge failed to formally report the suspected arson incident to the GPF. It also refused to contact the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS), and when it tried to investigate, it  met with a lack of cooperation from the management according to my instructions," Barrister J. Darboe informed the IGP.

He added: "As a registered community based organization, and interested in all matters in Sanyang, the SDF filed a report on 09 February 2026 and was issued GPF diary reference D/REF/No.42/9/02/26 on the incident. The SDF instructs that I place the IGP on formal notice so an exhaustive investigation of the incident can be undertaken as a matter of urgency."