Gambians have reacted to the arrest and subsequent detention of Killa Ace, a Rapper-activist and other youths on suspicion of taking part in the last July mass protest in Serekunda.
Rapper-activist Killa Ace was arrested on Saturday alongside not less than dozen others over the July 24 mass protests which saw hundreds of youth’s burning car tyres and also stormed the headquarters of police anti-crime unit in Bijilo.
Scores of angry youths during the protests went to the house of Gorgi Mboob, the commander of Anti-Crime Unit and set it on fire.
On 17th August, 2019 the police responded by rounding up those suspected to have been behind the protests.
In people’s reactions, Madi Jobarteh, an outspoken human rights activist and social commentator, wrote on Facebook: “Ali Baba Ace Cham or Killa Ace is a champion against dictatorship and police brutality and has confronted the Anti-Crime Unit for its brutality! Ali Baba Ace Cham was not present at the burning of notorious officer Mboob’s house. Killa Ace did not organize or plan or lead the protest in Serrekunda. Killa Ace did not take part in any of the acts of vandalism. Therefore why arrest him if not to revenge!”
Coach Pasamba Jow, a US based Gambian activist said: “I stand with Ali Cham AKA Killa Ace. His arrest by the notorious “Anti-Crime Unit” is nothing but retaliatory. Free the young man. This travesty must not and will not be tolerated in The Gambia again. #NeverAgain.”
Bubacarr Sidiqi Jammeh said: “Arresting youths like Killer Ace and dozens more for exercising their constitutional rights at a time we’re releasing confessed serial killers is surely not a way to promote public confidence in this administration. The youths of this country are bearing the brunt of this failed administration and the last thing they need is arbitrary arrests and constant harassments at their places of hustle.”
“We call on the Police to free these youths unconditionally. We cannot afford to further widen the trust gap between the police and the youths and actions like these arrests can only further poison the well”
Dabakh Malick said : “I wake up to the news that some youths are arrested in relation to last month demonstration in which the family house of the Anti-Crime chief was burnt down and Bakoteh police station, yes! I would never support destruction of public or private property by any group no matter their grievances is but so also I can’t stand and watch vindictive retribution against youths suspected to be the mastermind behind the demonstration.”
“Prominent among them is Killa Ace (Raptivist) who risked everything in fighting for the #NewGambia we claiming today, I urge they be release on bail without conditions for what they are being charged with is bail able and the police must stop using the 72 hrs mark to deliberately try to hold them behind bars.
“What I expected from government was to setup an independent panel that will look into the alleged maltreatment and corruption being alleged to be happening at the Anti-Crime Unit of the Paramilitary police but go further to ensure reforms of the institution to better deal with the public (civilians)
“In the same vain I believe also the law must take is cause without favour for we can’t nurture a system in which crime and vandalism becomes the norm. Justice must not only be served but must be seen to be serving without favour.”