"Contrary to information spread around that he was shot with a rubber bullet, we wish to make it abundantly clear for the records that, the crowd at the scene was engaged with the use of light tear gas canisters and a study of the nature of injuries sustained by the suspect will confirm further that, technically rubber bullets doesn’t inflict such injuries on individuals," the Police say.
The personnel of the PIU were recently accused of using rubber bullet to disperse angry youths of Sukuta resulting in the injury of one Jerreh Cham in his eye, a report the police strongly denied.
Lamin Njie, the spokesperson of the GPF who was contacted for comments said: “On Friday 15th July 2022, while officers of the Police Intervention Unit are on guard at the government demarcated land at Salagi, some youths of Sukuta mobilised themselves with intentions to cause vandalism by removing pegs and lines used in the mapping of the land area."
"As standard procedures and rules of engagement require different layers of engagement to de-escalate, officers reached out to the youths with an objective to peacefully disperse them."
“However, they failed to adhere to the call of officers to peacefully disperse. Subsequently, numerous proclamations were made to have them disperse but to no avail leaving officers with no choice but to use reasonable means to disperse them."
“They were engaged with the use of light tear gas canisters which saw them running away fleeing the scene."
“During such pandemonium to flee the scene one Jerreh Cham was believed to have fallen on some obstacles causing him injuries. He was later arrested and escorted to the hospital for medical attention."
“We continue to reassure the public that our officers will operate within the limits of the laws and effectively protect the fundamental human rights of individuals at all times, he posited.
