On 26th July, a joint operation team in Gunjur intercepted 21 migrants believed to have been recruited in Cassamance by alleged agents identified as Pap Khan, Alieu Suwaneh and Sankung Sonko. Investigators revealed that the organisers had no plans of facilitating travel to Europe but only intended to swindle the victims of their money.
The following day, 27th July, 30 migrants including 18 Gambians, 11 Senegalese and one Sierra Leonean were intercepted at Gunjur Beach. Security forces also seized 36 gallons of fuel and other supplies intended for the trip.
On 13th August, 42 migrants were stopped in Mandinaring after a tip-off. Investigations linked the operation to a man identified only as Samba, said to be based in Morocco, who was allegedly working through agents in The Gambia. Three days later, 17 migrants;10 Gambians and 7 Senegalese were intercepted around Brufut Beach. They accused a Senegalese national, Boubacar Toure, of organising the trip.
On 22nd August, 28 migrants were intercepted in Sambuyang. Investigators linked the operation to Sidibe, a Malian national believed to reside in Senegal or Mauritania. His associates, identified as Muhammed Dibassy, Muhammed Ceesay, Momodou Jallow and Alieu Gaye, allegedly handled recruitment and payments, which were made in both cash and valuables such as mobile phones and even a Mercedes Benz as collateral.
Another interception on 25th August saw 17 migrants stopped at Gunjur. They named four organisers: Omar Camara, Alagie Camara, Musa Jobe and Dave, all of whom remain at large.
The largest August operation came on 31st August, when 22 migrants were handed over to the NBR Border Patrol Unit after being intercepted in Kuntaya by the Police Intervention Unit. The migrants were reportedly demanding refunds from an agent, Madi Jarra, after a dispute over a failed journey. Jarra, a Malian national from Tambana, was accused of defrauding them under the pretext of arranging a boat trip to Europe. Another man, Musa Jobateh, was also alleged to be part of the scheme, though evidence against him remains inconclusive.
According to GID figures, from July to August alone, 14 operations led to the interception of 551 migrants, including 447 men and 104 women. The majority were Senegalese nationals (305), followed by Guineans (127), Gambians (87) and 30 from other countries.
Overall, from January to August 2025, the GID has recorded 36 interceptions involving 1,343 migrants. Out of this number, 1,111 were male and 232 female. Senegalese nationals accounted for the largest group at 583, followed by Guineans with 368, Gambians with 298, and 94 from other nationalities.
The GID said investigations into the identified organisers are ongoing, while it continues to strengthen border management and uphold The Gambia’s commitment to regional and international treaties on migration control.
