Speaking to the media yesterday, Siman Lowe, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of GID, disclosed that 51 migrants were intercepted at Barra on the 21st at around 2 a.m. while 25 were intercepted at Gunjur-Sambuya at around 4 a.m.
“If you look at the total interceptions, we have received over the past 2 days, that is October 21st at Barra, and also October 22nd at Gunjur-Sambuya, we have been able to at least intercept 76 suspected migrants from The Gambia, and among this number, we have 73 of them as male, 3 female and 3 minors,” he stated.
“Nationality wise, we have received 68 Gambians who were involved in this suspected irregular migration route. Amongst them also includes 2 Senegalese, 2 Guineans, 2 Bissau Guineans, 1 Nigerian and 1 Sierra Leonean.”
He explained that on the 21st of October 2024 at around 2 a.m., officers at the Barra Immigration Post received a tip-off with regard to an immediate potential departure of certain immigrants leading to the arrest of 25 people.
“On the same day, in that particular occasion, the same station also had intercepted 26 suspected migrants within The Gambia who also were departing from the lands of The Gambia to travel to other countries,” he said.
He added that “within this interception the officers were able to also haul along certain materials that were believed to have been transported along while they were travelling. Among these materials included 48 gallons of 20 litres of oil, 20 litres of fuel that was supposed to be used in these transactions.”
“We've also intercepted one boat with a Yamaha engine that is presumably supposed to be used in this particular quest as well. Among those materials also included food items that were believed to have been used by these alleged immigrants. So, all in all, on that particular day, the officers at Barra had intercepted 51 suspected immigrants along the Barra Post.”
“These have been efforts that GID has been taking towards making sure that we promote our mandate to control, monitor, and regulate the movement of people within and outside of The Gambia.”
He called for assistance in terms of mobility for easy movement of GID officers and also in transporting alleged migrants in the event of any interception.
He also urged for the reform of legal instruments that can serve as deterrent for agents and migrants.
“We also want the establishment of reception facilities where we can lodge suspected migrants when intercepted.”
