Police say 50 people have been arrested and charged for their role in a violent protest last week in Sanyang.

They faced a slew of charges including arson, criminal damage, unlawful assembly and conspiracy to commit felony. 

The suspects were arrested after a violent protest rocked the coastal town following the alleged murder of Gibril Ceesay by a Senegalese fisherman. 

An angry mob burned down the town’s police station and a fishmeal factory.

Police say the suspects will be arranged before the courts “as soon as possible”.

“In view of the wanton destruction and looting of public and private properties by rioter’s contrary to the Laws of the Gambia, the Police High Command has initiated a thorough investigation into the incident on Thursday 19th March 2021,” police said. 

“Preliminary assessment of properties damaged reveals that, 13 Fishing boats, 9 Boat engines, 5,273 Fishing nets were burnt and destroyed. 

“Cash amount of about 8 Million Dalasis, 1 Million Five Hundred Thousand CFA, and Thirty- Four Thousand Chinese Renmini (RMB 34,000) is suspected to be looted from the Nessim Fish Meal processing company and from individual residents. 

“A total of four Motor Vehicles including two Pickups and two Mini Truck were also burnt down. Sanyang Police Station was attacked and the building burnt down including all records, Case exhibits, furniture and a Taxi Car parked at the station was equally damaged.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba