A man alleged to have been the captain of the 2019 migrant shipwreck has been released under investigation, police say. 

Ousman Bahoum’s bail comes days after survivors and victims’ families in Barra call for his arrest and prosecution.

Police spokesman Superintendent Lamin Njie told Gambiana: “The investigation into the Barra boat incident is completed and a report submitted to the AG Chambers for legal advice.

“The guy Ousman Bahoum wasn’t around at the time but immediately he returned, he was arrested and appropriate actions were taken. He is currently granted police bail while the case awaits legal advice. 

He implored the people of Barra “to contain their impatience and allow the due process of the law to take its course.”

He promised the people of Barra people that justice will be served.

The police PRO however urged them “not to allow getting provoked (and) taking the law into their own hands.”

At least 62 people, including children, were killed after a boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized in the Atlantic Ocean off the West African nation of Mauritania in 2019.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba