Ebrima Sanneh has insisted top police officer Gorgi Mboob hit him with a hoe on his private part following an altercation.
The 26-year-old has put the police in a difficult state following his detention and alleged torture at the police anti-crime unit in Bijilo. He alleged the unit’s commander Gorgi Mboob attacked him after he mistakenly took out a plant of corn while weeding on the unit’s farm.
Police have since denied an attack has taken place and Sanneh has broken his silence about the issue.
Below is his statement;
Dear Gambian brothers and sisters I write this press statement to thank you all for your solidarity and messages of support during this tough period. My attention has been brought to a publication from Poliso Magazine social media account titled “False News, in the matter of Ebrima Sanneh’s alleged Torture”. This press release aimed to refute news reports that I was tortured which is actually the fact.
However, the publication also highlighted that “for verification purposes, his [Ebrima Sanneh’s] family can be contacted”. Given the seriousness of this matter I am compelled to put it in writing that I was tortured and that the publication by Poliso Magazine contains numerous inaccuracies which are evidently wrong. It is important to note that Poliso Magazine or the authors of the release did not contact me to get my account of the incident. I am disappointed that the police are quick to jump to conclusions and cover up rather than conduct a proper investigation to get to the facts of the issue.
Firstly, I was at Kanifing Hospital by 5am in the early morning of Saturday 25th July 2020. I was actually arrested around 3am to 4am in the early hours of Friday 24th July 2020. I was arrested from Ice Lounge with almost 30 other people.
All of us were held in one cell and forced to weed grass in the gardens and farm of Anti Crime Unit in Bijilo the next morning. As we continued weeding the grass, I mistakenly felled a corn plant and that’s when Gorgi Mboob attacked me. Gorgi Mboob punched me in the face and then hit me with a hoe on my private part after snatching it from my hand.
I was semi-conscious and left on the field like that in pain for what felt like over 40 to 50 mins without any medical attention. When I got up to urinate, I was in a lot of pain urinating abnormally and discharged what looked like blood. I was then sent back to the cells for further detention.
In fact, I was re-arrested with no warrant or charge around midday of Saturday 25th July 2020 from Kanifing Hospital and dragged back to the Anti-Crime Unit in Bijilo. This time my relatives and friends came to get me and Gorgi Mboob actually pleaded for forgiveness and then I left.
I am currently seeking medical attention as I am in serious pain and request for the public’s continued support and the required space and time to recover physically. I am also requesting that the Police retracts their statement denying my torture. I and my family are currently seeking legal advice.
We appreciate all the support we have been getting and continue to depend on it. For the Gambia our Homeland. We strive and work and pray. That all may live in unity, freedom and peace each day.
