23/09/2025
Team Gom Sa Bopa Condemns Resurgence of Police Brutality, Urges NHRC and Police to Act
23rd September 2025
To the National Human Rights Commission and the Gambia Police Force
Last week witnessed a deeply troubling resurgence of police brutality, widely reported by multiple media outlets. This included violence against peaceful demonstrators at the National Audit Office (NAO), the arrest of a journalist and rights advocates, and a shocking home invasion targeting a prominent Gambian journalist, Kadija Bokum, of the State Broadcaster in Jabang.
On Monday, 15th September 2025, Gambian police officers unceremoniously disrupted the Auditor General’s (AG) press conference and forcefully removed him from his office, sparking public outrage. This action reflects President Adama Barrow’s disregard for independent institutions, his unconstitutional directives, and the police’s blind compliance — a stark reminder of democratic backsliding and a betrayal of the transitional justice promise of “Never Again.”
In response, concerned citizens gathered at the NAO to express alarm over what they described as a constitutional coup by the Head of State, who continues to defy provisions requiring the lawful removal and replacement of the AG. As activists attempted to hold a peaceful press conference outside the NAO, police launched a violent crackdown — arresting advocates, forcefully throwing activist Alieu Bah into a police pick up, assaulting journalists, and indiscriminately firing teargas into the crowd.
The violence escalated on Thursday, 18th September, when police intervened in a land dispute in Jabang. Officers from the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) and the Anti-Crime Unit were filmed slapping and manhandling detainees who were already in custody and posed no resistance.
Even more disturbing were the reported home invasions in neighborhoods far removed from the dispute. According to Ms. Bokum and multiple others, officers stormed her home, deployed teargas, beat family members, stole money, and only released her and her relative after one officer recognized her. Shockingly, the very next day, PIU officers returned to her residence, allegedly demanding the deletion of video evidence. Footage of her live broadcast was abruptly cut off when officers were seen knocking her phone from her hand.
These incidents in Jabang highlight the gravity of unchecked police misconduct and capped a week of unprecedented brutality.
We therefore call on the National Human Rights Commission and the Gambia Police Force (NHRC) to urgently investigate these violations, hold perpetrators accountable, and restore public trust in law enforcement. Failure to act will entrench the country’s democratic backsliding.
We further urge all victims of police brutality to file formal complaints with the NHRC and the Police Headquarters Human Rights/Internal Disciplinary Unit.
To
Inspector General of Police and Human Rights Unit
National Human Rights Commission
C.C.
Office of the President
Office of National Security
National Human Rights Commission, The Gambia
The Gambia Police Force
Barrow PORG
State House of The Gambia