Police Report on Six Armed Robberies and Exchange of Gunfire in January 2025
Inspector General of Police Seedy Mukhtar Touray
By Edward Francis Dalliah
The Gambia Police Force (GPF) has reported six separate armed robberies throughout January 2025, including one exchange of gunfire, heightening concerns among residents and business owners. According to police reports, the incidents occurred in various locations across the country, targeting both businesses and individuals.
The first two incidents took place on New Year’s Day along the Sukuta-Jabang Highway. The remaining four occurred later in the month at the Farafenni GNPC in the North Bank, Njau Sawalo village in Upper Saloum, Access Bank in Brusubi, and Kunkujang Badjie Estate.
The GPF report stated that in the first “incident, a businessman from Jambur was attacked near the Jabang Forest, losing cash, electronics, and personal documents valued at D500,000.” Similarly, on the same day in Busumbala, the police said a “couple was targeted near Salaji Forest, losing D96,000.”
In a separate incident, the police account highlighted that “in the early hours of Monday, 13th January 2025, armed robbers attacked the Farafenni GNPC in the North Bank Region, targeting police officers on duty.” This particular attack was reported to have an open fire from both sides resulting in an officer sustaining injuries that are “not life-threatening.”
Meanwhile, the incident in Njau Sawalo village involved a Mauritanian-owned shop being raided by four armed individuals who forcefully robbed the premises and fled with an unconfirmed amount of money. However, no injuries were reported, according to a police update.
Additionally, the robberies at Access Bank and Kunkujang Badjie Estate occurred on the same day. The police highlighted that according to CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, three men entered the Access Bank from behind, accessing the banking hall through the main entrance. The robbers were armed with pistols, but no shots were fired. However, they collected an unidentified amount of money from the teller's counter before exiting through the same route and fleeing in a Benz V-Boot vehicle without a number plate.
In a separate incident at Kunkujang Badjie Estate, the police noted that a case of robbery with violence was reported at a Western Union bureau. Their report stated: “According to the complainant, three unknown men, one armed with a pistol, entered the bureau and tied up the employee, Yankuba Darboe, before forcefully taking cash totalling D77,275 [and] then fled the scene.”
The Gambia, known for its long-standing peace and stability, is now experiencing an alarming rise in crime, leaving residents and business owners increasingly worried about their safety and property. The Point Newspaper quoted National Assembly Member for Banjul North, Hon. Modou L. Bah, as describing the recent string of robberies as a “sad moment” for the country.
Over the years, The Gambia has witnessed a decline in its ranking on the Global Peace Index. The country ranked 45th out of 168 countries in 2022, dropped to 59th in 2023, and declined to 82nd in 2024. Meanwhile, within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranked 12th out of 44 countries in 2024, up from 3rd in 2022.
As investigations continue, law enforcement officials intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and restore public confidence in safety and security nationwide.
