‘The increasing rate of violent crime deserves urgent attention from the state’
Through their social media platform, The Gambia Police Force issued the following reports since the beginning of the year 2025.
On January 3, the police reported the arrest of a suspect in a “robbery gang” that targeted citizens in two separate attacks, both of which “left victims injured.” The police were able to recover some stolen items, but the other member(s) of the gang remained at large.
On January 13, 2025, the police made a release about an attack launched against a branch of the GNPC in Farafenni, NBR, in an attempted armed robbery incident during which the attackers opened fire on police officers. Thankfully, no police officers were killed, but injuries were sustained, which were not life threatening according to the Police Medical Unit. But the criminals from that attack also remained at large.
January 16, 2025, the police reported arresting an unidentified foreign national for possession of drugs and an unlicensed firearm with multiple rounds of live ammunition.
On January 21, 2025, the police reported another armed robbery incident that targeted a local shop in Njau Sawalo, although no deaths or injuries were reported, an unconfirmed amount of money was stolen from the location, no doubt causing disruption to the business owner and the community in general.
Just yesterday, January 22, 2025, another report was issued by the police yet again, this time, of an armed robbery incident at an Access Bank branch in Brusubi. The attackers, according to the police, were all armed with pistols, and one shotgun was also reported on the scene. The robbers made out with cash. Needless to say, the Brusubi area is one of the busiest commercial centres of the country.
In the same report, another armed robbery incident that successfully targeted a Western Union bureau in Kunkujang Badjie Estate was also cited by the police.
We are exactly three weeks into the new year, 2025, and already, there have been police issued reports of at least six violent crimes in the form of armed robberies that target citizens, including police officers and places of business.
At this rate, statistically speaking, it is safe to conclude that violent crime will increase exponentially, putting more lives and livelihoods at risk? That is a dire prospect and can not be allowed to happen.
As economic conditions worsen, coupled with high youth unemployment, abuse of hard drugs and proliferation of firearms, while the much needed and long overdue Security Sector Reform meets with a lack of political will, it is not alarmist to conclude that we are living in very dangerous times with prospects of that worsening as the government remains detached from the everyday realities of the average Gambian, both civilian and police first responders to these dangerous situations.
We commend the Gambia Police Force for their efforts, and the men and women of the force for their courage and bravery, but as we all know, their actions come mostly as a response after the fact. By the time the police arrive on the scene, the crime has already been committed, and the harm has already been inflicted, whether that be the loss of property, injuries, or loss of lives.
As we communicate these concerns, the murder of two young police officers killed in the line of duty remains yet unresolved.
The current situation is a far cry from our image as a safe haven where children could play safely in the streets even after dark, and tourists feel safe and comfortable enough to venture out of their hotel and resort areas into unfamiliar streets and markets without fear of being assaulted for their possessions.
Considering our size relative to the number of violent crimes and their frequency, this should be treated as a public safety emergency situation.
We further call on the state authorities to take off their political and self-preservation blinders and acknowledge that the people’s fears and concerns for their safety are genuine. The lack of a sense of security in this country is very real, and pointing that out is not a political issue. The first step to solving a problem is to acknowledge that one exists.
As past responses to issues of concern will bear witness, the government’s usual attempts at equivocation, or trying to deflect, politicize, or minimize the security and safety concerns of citizens will do nothing to alleviate these genuine fears.
We call on the Barrow government to acknowledge the problem, recognize the urgency, and act accordingly. That, they spare no effort or expense and deploy all needed resources to arrest and reverse this most urgent situation.
After all, the first and most sacred duty of any government is to protect the lives and properties of its citizens.
We voice our concerns for the common good.
UDP Media Team
