By Adama Makasuba
Police have detained a national of Guinea Bissau, Muhammad Darboe, for allegedly giving false information to the police.
“The Office of the Inspector General of Police wishes to inform the public that it is investigating a false information case in the matter of one Muhammad Darboe, a Bissau Guinean following a false complaint to Police that he was kidnapped and robbed by individuals in a Taxi-car.
“According to the complainant, On Thursday 29th April 2021 at 19:30 hrs, he hired a Taxi at the Giboroh border post to the Banjul Airport to board a Dubai-bound flight. Darboe alleged that the taxi driver drove to an unknown location around Kuloro quarry where he was violently robbed of 1,500,000 CFA, his Bissau Guinean Passport, Visa card, ID card, and a mobile phone. He also alleged injuries as a result of the violent robbery, he suffered from his alleged assailants,” police said in a statement.
“Preliminary investigations revealed the complainant did not pass through any of the official borders in The Gambia as alleged. Also, investigators visited the alleged crime scene but no evidence linking to the crime was discovered. Curiously, even the flight manifest to Morocco found in his possession doesn’t even bear his name.
“Further investigations revealed that he actually stole money from his father in Guinea Bissau on the pretext of traveling to Europe through the back way. The stolen money has been entrusted to someone in The Gambia (name withheld). Police investigators are making efforts to recover the stolen money,” the statement added.
Police wished to strongly advice the public to desist from spreading false information about imaginary crimes that never happened, adding any individual found wanting of such will be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the Laws.
Meanwhile, the police also urged online newspapers and bloggers to verify facts relating to crimes in The Gambia and desist from spreading false information intended to cause panic and fear among the public.