President Adama Barrow has called on the public to assist security agencies in addressing persistent issues such as border security, drug trafficking, and irregular migration by providing information that could help in apprehending and prosecuting offenders.

He made the appeal during his State of the Nation Address yesterday at the National Assembly, stating that despite his government’s efforts to combat crime and criminality, challenges like irregular migration, border insecurity, and drug trafficking persist.

“I call on the general public to support the security services in their intelligence-gathering operations, investigations, and the prosecution of criminals,” he said.

Highlighting some of the security measures undertaken by his administration, Barrow added: “A draft Gambia Immigration Department Bill (2023), aimed at enhancing border control and management, has been submitted for Cabinet review.”

He said the proposal seeks to update the 1965 Immigration Act and align it with current migration governance procedures.

He also noted that modern border posts are now fully operational at Amdalai, Kerr Ayib, and Giboro, and that plans are underway to build another at the Soma-Seleti border.

“Although the Immigration Department and law enforcement agencies have increased patrols and surveillance, they still need to deploy modern security technology and adopt intelligence-sharing mechanisms to improve efficiency,” he added.

By Adama Makasuba