The commander of 1st Infantry Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Pierre J Mendy has died, the military has confirmed.
Lt Col Mendy died on Monday aged 57.
Lt Col Mendy was born in Banjul on October 21, 1963. He attended St John’s primary school, St Therese’s primary school, St Augustine’s Junior Technical School and St Augustine’s High School.
He enlisted in the Gambia National Gendarmerie in 1984 and in 1989 got posted to State House as bodyguard to former President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. In 1995, he became the Principal Protecting Officer to military junta head of state former President Jammeh. He served in that role for three years.
He then travelled to Pakistan in November 1998 and became the head of the military police after his return to the country. He also served in the role of acting director of operation and training.
Lt Col Mendy also served as commander of Fajara Barracks in 2005. In March 2006, soldiers led by the no-nonsense Umpa Mendy stormed the house of Lt Col Mendy and arrested him. He took him straight to Mile 2 prison. He was accused of being part of the Ndure Cham coup.
Lt Col Mendy also served in UN missions in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
