By Yusupha Jobe
A Gambia Talent Television Promotion’s cameraman with six commercial drivers have been arrested by personnel of Police Intervention Unit known as PIU for reporting drivers sit-down strike on Monday.
Ebou Keita was accused by the police personnel for filming them as commercial drivers are on strike at Coastal road. As reported, his camera was also confiscated from him.
The seven people arrested have been taken into police custody at Bundung Police Station.
According to him “I was taking a shot and one of the officers came and snatched my phone away. I showed him my press card but replied that, that does not matter. He told me I was under arrest and put me inside their truck and tied my hands with plastic. I called his attention to inform him that the plastic was too tight on my hands but he walked away without saying a word. And that was how I was taken into police custody,” Mr Keita explained.
Ms Samba, the country’s coordinator of the online TV including one of her senior reporter Isatou Jallow, both confirmed their colleague was arrested.
“The Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union, Saikou Jammeh has visited the Abuko Police station were Ebou and six other drivers were alleged to have been detained by the Police before he was later informed by a station officer that he, Ebou and the six attested commercial drivers were moved to the Bundung Police station,” he said.
Police spokesman Lamin Njie could not be reached for comments.