The Serekunda market vendor, Ousman Darboe, who died last month after an encounter with officers of the Police Anti-Crime Unit, will be buried today after a funeral ceremony at the Latrikunda Mosque.

The body of Ousman Darboe was returned to his family yesterday after a post mortem by the government pathologist to ascertain the cause of death. No details have been provided yet by the police as to the cause of death.

The Sierra Leone national, who was reported to be asthmatic, will be buried in the Gambian.

Darboe’s death sparked rioting in the Greater Banjul Area after it was alleged that he was tortured to death in police custody. The police strenuously denied the allegations that he died in their custody.

However Darboe’s colleagues were unconvinced and took to the streets to demand justice. Rioting ensued leading to the destruction of properties and the arson attack on the house of the head of the Police Anti-Crime Unit, Gorgi Mboob, who was personally held responsible for Darboe’s death by the protesters.

The riot spread to other areas in the Greater Banjul Area including Bakoteh where the police station was ransacked.

Several of the protesters were arrested including rapper Killa Ace, whose real name is Alieu Cham and 36 others for unlawful assembly and other public order offences. They are currently in remand at the Mile Two Central Prison pending a trial.

Pressure is mounting on the Barrow government to release the alleged protesters.