By Matty Senghore

Gibril Ceesay’s family have shared the moment his attacker stabbed him resulting in his tragic death.

Ceesay succumbed after he was allegedly stabbed in the neck and at the rib by a yet-to-be-named person on Sunday night.

Ceesay’s elder brother Omar told reporters the incident happened at around 10pm Sunday when he closed from work.

“He stabbed him in the neck and then later in his side,” Omar who fought with the attacker and got injured in the face told reporters.

Ceesay’s death sparked outrage in Sanyang that saw youth burned down the police station there as well as a fishmeal factory that the alleged killer reportedly worked at.

Riot police fired teargas at the protested while the army briefly sent in troops who guarded the already destroyed police station.

Police top commander Landing Bojang toured the police station Monday after as tension subsided.

Gambian army soldiers briefly guarded what remained of Sanyang Police Station after it was burnt down to ashes by angry youth.

Youth of Sanyang took to streets on Monday following the stabbing death of a native. The protested over the killing of their compatriot allegedly by a thief as the victim tried to stop him from stealing his properties on Sunday night.

Riot police fired teargas at the angry youth who burnt tyres and set various places on fire including a Chinese fishmeal factory.

More follows…

Tamsir Jasseh has walked back his termination of membership of Gambia Action Party after ‘fruitful’ discussions.

Jasseh resigned from the party on March 12 but on March 13 the next day, he again wrote to the party informing officials of his decision to cancel his resignation.

The Fatu Network saw copies of both his resignation letter and the letter where he had a change of heart.

Opposition APRC has issued a statement over the passing away of police chief Mamour Jobe.

In a statement, APRC said: “His Excellency former President Sheikh Professor Dr. Alhagie Yahya A.J.J Jammeh (Babili Mansa), The Right Hon. Alhagie Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the National Executive Members and the entire membership of the Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC) writes with deepest sorrow to convey our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies on the passing away to eternity of the former Inspector General of Police, Alhagie Mamour Jobe.

“His departure from this world, despite being The Almighty Allah’s will, has left not only his family, but all of us as a nation with profound sadness and a sense of loss. As we mourn his death, we also want to recognize that he was dedicated to national duties, disciplined, and portrayed professionalism during his tenure. We pray that The Almighty Allah shower His infinite mercies on him and grant him Jannatul Firdaws.

“For his family he left behind, may The Almighty Allah guard, protect, guide and shower His infinite bounties, blessings and mercies on all of them in this world and grant them perfect health, happiness in greater prosperity.

“To the entire Jobe Family, please accept our assurances of our deepest condolences and profound sadness.”

Mamour Jobe has been laid at a sombre ceremony that saw one of his top aides Ebrima Bah struggle with tears amid great shock over his boss’s passing.

Jobe who was the country’s Inspector General Police died on Saturday afternoon after a brief illness. He was 61.

Jobe was laid to rest at the Sinchu Alagie ceremony. Gambians from all walks of life graced the event. He was the country’s top law enforcement officer since July 2018.

His body, carried by his police officers, was lowered in his grave at 3pm Sunday. His police officers fired in the air the times in a solemn gun salute.

“We’ve lost Mamour today and we know it will be hard to replace someone like Mamour,” his deputy Abdoulie Sanyang earlier on told mourners.

Jobe’s immediate boss is the minister of interior Yankuba Sonko who said he worked with him for 38 years.

“He was first to teach me on police work. Mamour is a Muslim, Mamour was humble and Mamour was compassionate,” Sonko said.

One of Jobe’s assistants was AIG Ebrima Bah who stood as Jobe’s body was moved past him as he wept in pain.

The National People’s Party has issued a statement reacting to the passing away of police chief Mamour Jobe.

In a statement, NPP said: “The Secretary General and Party Leader of the National People’s Party His Excellency Adama Barrow , National Executive Committee, Members and Party supporters learned with shock and devastation the untimely demise of the Inspector General of Police Alhaji Mamour Jobe.

“The death of Mr Jobe is a national  tragedy and a huge lost to the nation . Mamour served the country with distinction and dedication to duty. The Party commiserate with The Vice President, Cabinet Ministers,  Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service, Service Chiefs, National Security Council,  Gambia Police Force, his immediate family and the country as a whole. “A giant tree has fallen”.

“Mamour’s appointment as Inspector General of Police was a culmination of decades of service at The Gambia Police Force which ushered in reforms within the service where citizens rights, liberties and freedom are respected and protected. Mamour was a selfless servant,  polite, tactful and full of wisdom which epitomises his patriotism and nationalism. Whilst we mourn him, we take solace of his impeccable character of engagement and peaceful nature.

“The National People’s Party pray to Allah the Almighty to grant the family fortitude to bear the lost,  forgive him and admit him in Jannah.”

Citizens’ Alliance (CA) said it received news of the demise of Mamour Jobe with the utmost sadness.

CA said: “Mr. Jobe was known to have been a patriotic citizen who devoted his entire life to serving God and humanity. He has contributed immensely in promoting and uplifting the police sector.

“It is without a modicum of doubt that his demise has cast waves of shock across the country and has left a massive vacuum in the nation’s police service.

“On behalf of the leadership and entire membership of the Citizens’ Alliance (CA), we commiserate with Mr. Jobe’s family and express our sincere condolences to the nation at large. We pray that Allah have mercy with him and rest his soul in Jannatul Firdaws.”

Gambia Action Party has said it is saddened to have learned the ‘untimely’ death of Alhaji Mamour Jobe, the Inspector General of the Gambia Police Force.

“Indeed, it’s a national loss as Mr Jobe spent his entire life in the service of the Gambia and his professionalism is unquestionable,” GAP in a statement signed by leader Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly said.

The statement added: “During his tenure in office, he contributed towards making the Gambia free from crimes and it’s related issues. He regulated our Police Force and make it envious around the world, that led to many young and energetic Gambians join the force to protect our brothers and sisters. Undoubtedly, his legacy will continue to be written in the good pages of the Police Force and the nation in general.

“As we bid our final moment with you, GAP is committed to maintain your records and closely work with the men and women for posterity reasons that you worked profusely and diligently in your time in the service of our dear nation.

“On behalf of GAP, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family, the Police Force and the government of the Gambia. May Allah in his exalted power reward you with Jannatul Fiirdaous and forgive his transgressions, Ameen.”

Tributes have continued to pour in for Mamour Jobe following the top police officer’s passing on Saturday afternoon.

Gambia Democratic Congress in a statement described his passing as “a sad and great loss to the Gambia”.

“Mamour Jobe will be mourned for a long time, as his hard work and relentless service to the country and the security sector earned him a reputable name in our country. He was known to be kind, polite and dedicated to national duties,” GDC said.

“The GDC recognizes his service to the nation, through the ranks and cadres of our security services.

“The GDC mourns his demise and pray that Allah grant him the highest residence in Jannah and look after his family,” GDC added.

Legendary Senegal musician Thione Seck has died after a brief illness, according to Senego.

Seck who battled it out with the likes of Youssou Ndour in Senegal’s Mbalax music scene for many decades died early Sunday, the outlet said. He was 66.

Thione is music superstar Wally Seck’s father.

United Democratic Party has issued a statement commiserating with whole nation on the passing of police chief Mamour Jobe. Jobe died on Saturday after a brief illness.

UDP said in a statement signed by leader Ousainou Darboe: “On behalf of the National Executive Committee, the entire United Democratic Party and indeed on my behalf, we write to express our deepest condolences and sympathies on the sudden passing of Alhaji Mamour Jobe the Inspector General of the Gambia Police Force- to his immediate family, the extended family in Ballaghar and the rest of the nation.

“IGP Jobe rendered great service to the Gambia Police Force, he served for many years as the head of the Police Training School and during the difficult days of the dictatorship he always conducted himself with utmost professionalism, a grateful nation mourns his untimely death.

“We pray that Almighty Allah the most merciful, the most beneficent may grant his soul al Jannah. This message is extended to His Excellency, Mr Adama Barrow,  President of the Republic of the Gambia and indeed to all the members of Cabinet.”

President Adama Barrow has reacted to the death of the nation’s Inspector General of Police Mamour Jobe saying he is shocked and saddened by it.

“What a great loss to the country! I am shocked and sadden [sic] by the sudden death of Inspector General [of Police] Mamour Jobe,” the president wrote a short while ago.

Police have issued a statement announcing the passing away of Mamour Jobe, their Inspector General.

In a statement, police said: “The Office of the Inspector General of Police, the entire Management and staff of the Gambia Police Force, regret to announce the sudden demise of IGP Alhagie Mamour Jobe, who passed away today the 13th March 2021 at Medicare Clinic.

“This sad news is extended to The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed and Security Services, His Excellency Mr Adama Barrow, Vice President, Her Excellency Dr. Isatou Touray, the Minister of Interior Hon. Yankuba JN Sonko, Service Chiefs, friends and relatives in the Gambia and abroad.

“He will be laid to rest tomorrow the 14th March 2021 at 14:00hrs at Sinchu Alagie.”

Tributes poured in for Mamour Jobe following his sudden passing Saturday afternoon in hospital.

Jobe’s policing career spanned nearly four decades. He died at the Medicare Clinic after a brief illness.

Police DIG Abdoulie Sanyang confirmed the top cop’s passing to The Fatu Network.

CA leader Dr Ismaila Ceesay said ‘I adored him’ as he reacted to Jobe’s death.

“He was a patriot who served his country with distinction. I adored him,” Dr Ceesay commented.

“IGP Mamour Jobe will be remembered for professionalism and patriotism to the national duties,” Yankuba Sinera said.

The National Human Rights Commission also issued a statement saying it had a very good working relationship with Jobe “who was very cooperative and we have closely worked together to build the capacity of the Police Force and to streamline Human Rights in their day to day work.”

Jobe first became the Inspector General of Police in July 2018 following the resignation of Landing Kinteh. In August 2020, he clinched a two-year deal to stay on as the nation’s top police officer following his retirement.

Jobe’s time as IGP would be most remembered for the Three Years Jotna quandary when he had to use his judgement to either issue or not issue a permit to the group as it went about protesting against President Adama Barrow’s rule.

But one act that drew him admiration was when he promoted a junior police officer Kaddy Jarju after a photo showing the officer standing in the rain and directing traffic emerged online.

But Jobe’s passing will come as a shock to many Gambians as he just last week appeared before the TRRC where he helped the commission with certain basic information regarding how police go about keeping their diaries. The TRRC had been investigating the death of West African migrants killed in the country in 2005 on the orders of former President Yahya Jammeh. He looked hale and hearty.

UDP faithful Mansa Sumareh has left UDP and joined President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party, in a stunning move.

Sumareh was a staunch UDP supporter, with his support for the party spanning decades.

He was President Barrow’s driver but fell out with the president following a diplomatic passport scandal.

Sumareh has now gone back to the president after they met on Friday.

He confirmed his decision to join NPP saying ‘it’s true, what has happened has happened’.

“I seek forgiveness from everyone especially in UDP people they stood by me throughout,” Sumareh said.

He also said the president welcomed him back with open arms and they him the 2016 change was something they both fought for and therefore should take ownership of it.

An Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital nurse allegedly attacked a patient Friday night after an altercation.

The Fatu Network gathered the patient had asked the nurse to flush the catheter but the nurse refused and went ahead to deliver an injection. Parts of the patient’s body later got swollen, according to one person familiar with the incident.

The patient who reportedly underwent surgery was then allegedly attacked by the nurse after a testy exchange, a witness told The Fatu Network.

The spokesman of EFSTH Kebba Sanneh told The Fatu Network he was not aware of the incident and could not comment on it. When asked if he could find out, he said he would not do that but then later said he would share with the outlet if he got anything on the issue on his desk on Monday.

NPP stalwart Seedy Njie has said every political party in the country agreed for the retroactive clause to be removed except UDP.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Njie said: “Every political party in The Gambia accepted some of these recommendations and also came up with recommendations.

“And all the political parties accepted in the interest of the nation including the retroactive clause.

“Not only NPP but NPP and all the other political parties thought that it is targeting an individual and therefore it must not be in the constitution and we all indicated that it should be expunged only United Democratic Party that refused.”

Commentator Yunus Hydara has chipped into the talk over the doomed draft constitution warning that it was his patience that got tested ‘all day’.

In a write-up posted to his Facebook on Friday, Hydara said: “The conversation of the draft constitution has been testing my patience all day! The document is dead, thanks to Barrow for his selfishness. There is simply no time for its resurgence regardless what dialogue by who. In essence, all other political parties with three to no MPs are irrelevant; PDOIS and APRC wants the 97 constitution. It’s only the UDP who wishes the draft to pass as evidenced by our MPs unanimously voting for it.

“It’s Barrow’s loss, because he just missed on the one last opportunity to have the most significant objective of the transition agenda tagged to his name/legacy . Now Gambia have one option – vote Barrow out in Dec and vote UDP in. We shall give you the choice to decide on the draft constitution through a referendum.

“We will not stop at that, we shall invest in you, the people! We will invest in your health and well-being; we will invest in our youthful population through entrepreneurship and Education; We shall commit 10% of our National budget to revitalize agricultural sector by providing farmers with incentives, mechanical, storage, markets, transport and agricultural research facilities. We shall empower our women to realize their full potential and be more effective in contributing to the health and development of communities.”