President Adama Barrow has condemned what he called “gang of bandits and troublemakers” who attacked churches in Bakau and Talinding and vowed that the government will punish them. 

He also pledged a tougher action on religious intolerance. 

At least two suspects have been arrested in Bakau as search continues for the other suspected attackers, after the group vandalised the statue of the blessed Mary, while people were attending mass and pepper sprayed the church leader father Rev Peter Jammeh. 

“The Government is thoroughly investigating these spineless agitations against our interfaith orientations and those found wanting will be dealt with accordingly,” Barrow said. 

“The Gambia remains a secular democracy with laws guaranteeing the fundamental human rights of all citizens among them pluralistic freedoms of worship regardless of one’s orientation. 

“It is therefore, utterly criminal for any person or persons to attack innocent worshippers or their places of worship regardless of their faith. 

“My Government will not allow the destruction of our unique culture of religious tolerance and cohesiveness bequeathed to us by our forefathers. Zealots, fanatics or bandits masquerading as purists have no place in Gambian society,” he added.

He urged Gambians and residents to continue “nurturing the values, norms and culture of tolerance, peaceful co-existence our nation is known for globally”.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba