Former Jungler Accused of Killing 11 People to Face Trial in the United States
Correa Victims (c) AVLO
By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT
This September 2024, Michael Sang Correa, a former member of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) and the Junglers is set to face trial in the United States for torturing his victims with beatings, electric shocks and plastic bags around their heads. Although Correa will not be prosecuted for killing his victims, the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) revealed that he was involved in the killing of at least 11 victims.
After the life conviction of Jungler Driver, Bai Lowe in Germany in late November 2023, former Minister of Interior Ousman Sonko was sentenced to 20 years in Switzerland back in May 2024. Next to face the long and slow arm of justice outside the country is Michael Correa.
The TRRC unmasked the dark secrets of the Junglers who were a private killing squad reporting directly to former President Yahya Jammeh, and now, justice is knocking on the doors of alleged perpetrators who benefited from the 22-year misrule of the former dictatorship.
According to volume 8 of the TRRC Report which focuses on the Junglers, Michael Correa is individually culpable for the unlawful killing of Daba Marena and six others, Gambian Americans Mamut Ceesay and Ebou Jobe, and Saul Ndow and Mahawa Cham, totaling at least 11 people. Besides these killings, the report revealed that Correa participated in torture sessions and the killing of former veteran Journalist Deyda Hydara.
Ousman Sonko sentenced to 20 years in Switzerland (c) Unknown
TRRC Jungler Report Reveals Over 10 Correa Killings
The Jungler Report reveals that sometime in 2004, Correa was one of the soldiers who had underdone the Commando training and later served as trainers for the third cohort of trainees, alongside Solo Bojang, Ablie Jarjue and Musa Badjie. This places Correa amongst some of the most notorious and ruthless Junglers. “Upon completion of their training, these soldiers were deployed to the State House as close protection officers to Jammeh,” added the report.
Former Jungler Driver, Bai Lowe was sentenced to life for his role in the killing of Deyda Hydara. According to the Jungler Report, Correa was in the second car, a Benz V Boot 190 Taxi which was driven by Manlafi Corr. After the Junglers team received information from then State Guard Commander Ousman Sonko, the two vehicles caught up with Deyda around Westfield and killed him after orders from Jungler Commander Tumbul Tamba to open fire on his vehicle.
Although Correa was present in the car when Deyda was killed, he was not adversely mentioned as one of the perpetrators for Deyda’s murder.
The first adversely mentioned killing that Correa is indicted for in the Jungler Report is of Daba Marena, Alpha Bah, Eboue Lowe, Alieu Ceesay, Malafi Corr, Masi Jammeh and a lady known only as Julia. The seven people have been referred to as Daba Marena and six others. It’s alleged that Daba Marena, Manlafi Corr, Ebou Lowe and Alieu Ceesay were arrested on the orders of former President Jammeh in connection with the Ndure Cham failed coup plot in March 2006.
Meanwhile, Masireh Jammeh “Masi” was arrested due to her protests over the arrest and suspected murder of hers and former President Jammeh’s brother Haruna Jammeh. After demonstrating and complaining of Haruna’s death to former President Jammeh she was included in the execution list with the aforementioned victims. Not much is known about the lady named only as Julia.
The Jungler Report reveals how they were brutally executed in a bush after being led to a hidden location by Solo Bojang, where the killing machine, Sanna Manjang had killed another victim named Ndongo Mboob in an earlier operation.
To cover up the killing of so many people, “the government issued a press release indicating that Daba Marenah and his military colleagues Manlafi Corr, Alieu Ceesay, Alpha Bah, Ebou Lowe (five (5) persons in total) were being transported to Jangjanbureh Prison when their vehicle summersaulted and the detainees escaped”.
Michael Sang Correa set to face US Trial in September 2024 (c) Unknown
Perhaps the one which screams out to most readers on the Correa case, is the killing of Gambian Americans Alhagie Mamut Ceesay and Ebou Jobe who had returned home but met their untimely death sometime in 2013. Although the duo had returned home “to do business. Due to their movements, they were suspected of planning to overthrow Yahya Jammeh. Jammeh ordered the Junglers to kill them,” highlighted the report.
Michael Correa is said to have played an instrumental role in stalking the two Gambian Americans. Jungler Omar Jallow who made startling revelations at the TRRC, spoke of how Micheal Correa monitored the two suspects and informed his colleagues to arrest them after they departed their residence.
Using a vehicle check point, the duo were arrested and taken to Kanilai where they were interrogated and probably tortured by officials from the National Intelligence Agency. A notorious spy agency that spies on citizens considered opposition to the government and report exclusively to the President. After their interrogation, they were taken to see former President Jammeh who gave orders for their execution. The Jungler Report states that, “according to Omar Jallow (Oya) and Amadou Badjie, thirty minutes later, Nuha came and informed them that, “Yahya Jammeh has given the order that the men were to be killed and chopped into pieces.”
By now a repeating theme appears to be unravelling. Almost all victims killed were perceived as opposition to the dictatorship of former President Jammeh. Even returning businessmen were not spared and soldiers were not given any better treatment. Next on Correa’s death list is Saul Ndow and Mahawa Cham.
The Jungler Report states that Saul Ndow and Mahawa Cham “were allegedly planning to overthrow the government of Yahya Jammeh”. They were infiltrated by Lau Jarjue and Swandi Camara who were their alleged co-conspirators, but the TRRC reveals that they were informants for the Jammeh government. The Jungler Report explains how Lau Jarjue and Swandi Camara collaborated with the Junglers to lure the duo into their trap.
It’s stated that “Saul Ndow and Mahawa Cham were arrested by the Junglers led by Solo Bojang and brought across the border into Foni, The Gambia”. After this encounter, the duo were killed and had plastic bags placed over their heads. The Jungler Report quotes Solo Bojang telling other Junglers that “the President said to use whatever means to apprehend them, bring them into The Gambia and kill them”.
Bai Lowe sentenced to life in Germany (c) Unknown
Torture of Military Officers
Michael Correa is alleged to have participated in at least two tortures, according to the Jungler Report. The first was after the 2006 failed coup plot, and the second was after the 30th December 2014 failed coup attempt.
In the first incident, “after the 2006 failed coup attempt, several military personnel and civilians were arrested and directly detained at the Mile II Central Prison on suspicion of their involvement in the coup. An investigation panel, comprising of the NIA, Police and Army was set up to investigate those involved”.
According to the Jungler Report, “there was an investigation team, arresting team and a torture team”. It’s stated that Sergent Buba Jammeh was tortured on different occasions where Correa participated in the torture session.
In the aftermath of the 30th December 2014 failed attempted coup which involved some Gambian Security Officers and Citizens living abroad, it’s alleged that officers arrested in connection to the failed coup were subjected to tortures which included beatings with hosepipes for 20 to 30 minutes.
Amongst those said to have participated in that mission was Captain Michael Correa.
Michael Correa is indicted in the United States for his involvement in torture which he orchestrated with other Junglers. In particular, Correa is indicted for beating his victims and covering their heads with plastic bags, using electric shocks and causing severe pain and suffering to his victims.
