The Gambia Police Force have released the names of suspects who were arrested after an alleged diplomatic passports fraud ring was uncovered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The suspects are all protocol officers at the ministry and were arrested last month after a sting operation by The Gambia Police Force.

Saikou Sanneh, Ibrahim JS Sanneh and Ousman Touray (currently at large) and Mansa Sumareh were named as the suspects.

Others arrested in the case included a Nigerian national and some officers of The Gambia Immigration Department.

In a press release on Monday the police said:

“On the 23rd August 2019, the Inspector General’s office opened an investigation into a case of diplomatic passport fraud involving three protocol officers of the ministry of foreign affairs namely Saikou Sanneh, Ibrahim JS Sanneh and Ousman Touray (currently at large).

“Later on, Mansa Sumareh was also arrested in relation to the Same matter, all of them allegedly helping to facilitate diplomatic passport for one Bakary Susso.”

The press statement added: “In a similar development on the 24th August 2019 Malick Tunkara was arrested at the Airport in possession of a suspected fake diplomatic passport.

“Yankuba Susso, Amadou Touray, and Musa Njie were arrested for their involvement.

“On the 27th August 2019, Superintendent Banka Jatta and Chief Inspector Lang Tombong Sabally of the Gambia Immigration Department were invited for questioning.

“On the 30th August 2019 Michael T Ladipo a Nigerian national was also arrested in connection to the case.
Meanwhile investigations continues.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba