The Gambia’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) says it officers will be provided with arms during raids against violent drug dealers. 

DLEAG spokesman Ousman Saidybah said some officers have lost their lives to injuries they sustained during operations in the country.

“I think as recently as two days ago, there was a raid in Sibanor where one of our officers was seriously injured. 

“A PIU (police intervention unit) officer that was providing back up support to our men that this guy on a motorbike knocked down, he has brought this boy’s life to a standstill,” Saidybah told the Nations Today programme.

“There are officers who due to injuries they sustained could not return to work,” he added.

Saidybah said they are reviewing their operational tactics as well as the country’s 

Drug Control Act to ensure officers are protected from harm.

He said: “I do know that efforts are being made to address these challenges and it is in an advanced stage. 

“And the Drug Control Act is being completely overhauled. There are some gaps that we identified. We are working to bring in different kinds of equipment.”

However, he declined to further comment on the types of equipment officers will be provided, saying that drug users and traffickers could be listening to the programme which would give them ideas about their operations.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba