The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces Lieutenant General Masanneh N Kinteh deeply regrets the incident and commiserates with the injured driver and his family, and reassures the general public to exercise restraint while investigations are being carried out.
On Sunday, Ismaila Tamba, a driver was shot at a military checkpoint in Kanilai village by soldiers for allegedly refused to stop his vehicle for inspection.
Tamba, was said to have sustained gunshot wounds and was taken to Bwiam Hospital before transferred to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul. Tamba is a native of Kanilai and a former soldier of the Gambia Armed Forces.
In a press release made available to The Voice and signed by Malick Sanyang, deputy spokesperson of The Gambia Armed Forces yesterday stated that Tamba was challenged by the soldier on sentry duty to stop the vehicle and return back to the check point for the routine search procedure as required.
However, the release pointed out that the Tamba’s failed to do so and attempted to drive away.
The statement added that in an apparent attempt to disable the tyres of the vehicle, the soldier on sentry duty shot at the vehicle thereby resulting to the injury of the driver on his back.
Meanwhile, CDS Kinteh deeply regrets the incident and commiserates with the injured driver and his family and has immediately ordered an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident”
“The Gambia Armed Forces hereby reassures the general public to exercise restraint while investigations are being carried out.”
