Omar Colley, a resident of Abuko, has lodged a formal complaint with the Inspector General of Police, demanding compensation for the severe damage caused by the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) during a fundraising show he organized on Saturday, May 25.
The letter, addressed to the IGP and copied to OP, Parliament, and NHRC, stated that on behalf of his supporters and residents surrounding the Tallinding community center, to formally request compensation and an apology following the illegal and excessive use of force by the PIU under your command, which disrupted the legally approved fundraising event last Sunday at the Tallinding community center. As he indicated, Omar previously wrote to your office on January 1, 2024, to request a permit for the event commemorating The Gambia’s 59th independence celebration and raise funds for the upcoming election cycle. The request was approved, and the permit was granted on January 2, 2024, by Chief of Operation KM East (Bundung & Tallinding) CSP Gass Sabally, allowing him to proceed with the event scheduled for February 18, 2024 (Independence Day) at the community center.
To his dismay, he stated, a team of armed PIU Officers visited the Tallinding community center on Saturday, February 17, 2024, while preparing the grounds for an upcoming event. They inquired about the nature of the event and asked if they had obtained a permit. Hon. Alh Matarr Kujabi and Foday Chorr, who were present then, informed them that they had secured a license for a fundraising dance scheduled for Sunday, February 18, 2024. After receiving this information, the team departed.
The letter further alluded that he (Omar) and others were deeply concerned about the damages caused to properties, loss of belongings, and injuries to over twenty people, some of whom had to be hospitalized at the Ahmadiyya, Fajikunda, and Jammeh Foundation hospitals. The behavior of the PIU officers has made life unbearable and caused distress, frustration, and harm to the people of Tallinding and its surroundings throughout the night, he wrote and therefore demanding apologies and compensation for the damages caused by this obstruction and hope that IGP promptly prioritize and address his claim and provide the necessary compensation.
