GID nabs 7 suspected migrant smugglers in latest crackdown

Jan 7, 2026, 12:20 PM 2 min read

The Gambia Immigration Department has announced they have arrested seven suspected migrant smugglers following a recent deadly boat tragedy in the country.

“The GID, as of this report, has about seven suspected migrant smugglers in custody at the Migration Management Center in Tanji, awaiting further investigation and necessary legal action,” the GID reveals.

Regional Border Patrol Unit of the Gambia Immigration Department (GID) in North Bank Region, acting on directives, on Monday, 5th January 2026, also apprehended an alleged migrant smuggler, Karamo Njie of Ginak Kajata.

Karamo Njie is alleged to be an associate of Ebrima Dampha, a suspected agent involved in organising an irregular migration boat that departed Ginak on 17th November 2025, carrying hundreds of migrants, currently unaccounted for.

This apprehension follows a thorough intelligence-gathering and open source investigation that resulted in the apprehension of the main suspected agent, Mr. Ebrima Dampha, on Thursday, 1st January 2026, in Kerr Wally, Lower Nuimi.

Mr. Ebrima Dampha repeatedly identified Mr. Karamo Njie of Ginak Kajatta as his associate in the operation. Upon comparing the statements, a close collaboration between the two individuals was established. Ultimately, Mr. Karamo Njie was invited for questioning, cautioned, detained, and is scheduled for transfer to Tanji for further investigation.

The GID, as of this report, has about seven suspected migrant smugglers in custody at the Migration Management Center in Tanji, awaiting further investigation and necessary legal action.