By: Nyima Sillah
President Adama Barrow through the Ministry of Interior gave D1.3 million to the family of Duwa Badgie who was finally laid to rest on Wednesday at his village in Gilanfari.
Duwa who was said to be shot by the Senegalese soldiers on 21st December and died on the same day was described as a hardworking and patriotic citizen. His funeral was attended by thousands of Gambians including: members of security forces, ministers, lawmakers, governors, imams, Alkalos, and many more dignitaries.
After his befitting burial, the Minister of Defense Sering Modou Njie, explained that since they received the information on 21st December from the national security that Duwa was shot, President Barrow gave an urgent directive for the matter to be investigated. This, he said, prompted their fact-finding mission to the borderline on 1st January, adding thatthe fact finding was also meant to assess the security situation of the region.
“The president has shown concern over the incident since inception and he has been communicating with the President of Senegal (Macky Sall) since the announcement of the incident, we have been on that investigation until we found the dead at the Ziguinchor Hospital,” the defense minister remarked.
He stated that when the body was found, President Barrow gave an urgent directive to summon the Senegalese ambassador to repatriate the corps to the Gambia.
The defense minister further stated that President Barrow, who is also the security council chairman, has not relented since the incident happened and has urged all the security forces to contact their counterparts in Senegal regarding the issue.
According to the defense minister, the President has given them three directives which are to engage the Senegalese soldiers on the death of Duwa, investigate all the incidents that happened in the surroundings, and hold a joint investigation with the Senegalese soldiers to establish facts on the death of Duwa.
He pointed out that when the body was handed over to them, by the Senegalese authorities in the presence of Duwa’s family, they took it to the EFSTH mortuary in Banjul for an autopsy which he said would be relevant to their follow-up investigations.
He, therefore, advised the people of Foni to be patient as all the issues happening in the region will be reported. He then extended heartfelt condolences to the Badgie family, the people of Foni, and the entire Gambia, saying the death of Duwa is mourned by the entire nation.
