Dear Editor,
Two Gambian citizens, Ebou Lowe and Omar Njie both residents of Fass Njagga Choi in Lower Niumi are claimed to be arrested and detained in Senegal since the June 10, 2018 without being charged or tried.
Ebou Lowe who is a current staff of Gambia Ports Authority was traveling with Omar Njie his childhood friend to the capital of Senegal (Dakar) to deliver a vehicle (plate no: BJL 5272 P) to one Aminata Lowe a Senegalese who lives in the capital of Senegal.
According to sources, Ebou and Omar left the Gambia on the June 9 and on that day they both went to Barra at the petrol station to buy fuel and left for Senegal around 11 pm. Their first stopped was “Kerr Musa” between the hour of 1 a.m to 2 a.m and bought their lesser passer in order to enter in Senegal legally.
The journey continues and they other stops at “Prohan”, “Niorro”, “Post Koto” and then “Mabu” where they parked along the road side to take a nap because by then Ebou was too tired to continue driving while his friend Omar doesn’t drive.
While they were sleeping in their vehicle some Senegalese Gendermarie knock their vehicle and claimed that there is a man who was rubbed by some gunmen and took approximately 6 million CFA at a nearby village, “Ceesay Kaymor” and ran. The incident they said happened between the hours of 3 a.m and 4 a.m.
Though they searched their vehicle thoroughly, nothing was said to be found. They were then asked to go but while on their way they got lost and stopped to ask for directions.
Unfortunately for them, one of the people they asked for directions called the police on them saying according to his father, a heavily built man was part of those who robbed his father.
Shortly after that, they were arrested and detained at “Kerr Ayub” until the following morning when the old man was called to identified his aggressors. At that time, both Ebou, Omar and some other officers where lined up but ironically, he pointed at a man who was part of those lined up for identification.
According to sources those people are professional armed robbers and they have guns in their possession.
Two days later, another man was arrested in regards to the same issue but when they’re asked whether they know Ebou and Omar, but they both responded that they have never met any of them prior.
Many officers in both the border villages of Senegal and Gambia testified about how sincere Ebou is at his Job but to no avail. They hired two lawyers but their lawyers were not given access to have direct contact with them, this is clearly stating that something fishy is behind the scenes.
According to reliable sources, though Ebou is a staff at GPA he does sell vehicles at the Karang-Amdallai border and he is well known for his efforts and hardwork.
Though there is no iota of evidence on them, they are currently detained at the Kaolack main prison centre, Mac since June 10 without being charged or tried.
Special efforts should be made to hasten the immediate release of Ebou Lowe and Omar Njie to enable them to resume their work because their continued detention is, of course hindering their work and may lead them to lose their job. All relevant authorities should work towards a speedy dispensation of justice for the duo.
