The Gambia Armed Forces has explained how its personnel stationed at Laminkoto Military Camp tracked down and arrested a hit-and-run truck driver after allegedly killing seven people in Jarumeh Koto village on Saturday night.

The death toll has now risen to 8 after a 38-year-old truck driver plunged into jubilant football fans killing seven people on the spot and injuring dozens others.

GAF said its personnel made a swift response to call as the suspected driver fled towards the Senegal border. 

“Laminkoto Military Camp immediately dispatched a patrol team. The driver, being aware of the presence of the military, diverted towards Kerr Nyaga, Nyamina District, CRR North going towards Senegal. He hid the vehicle in a nearby bush and went hiding in the bush. The patrol team discovered the truck and took it to the Laminkoto Military Camp and then continued on the hot pursuit. The driver, noticing that the team was getting closer, ran to the Firdausi Police Station in Firdausi, CRR North,” the army said in a statement.

The army’s statement added that its patrol team led by the Officer Commanding, Laminkoto Military Camp, Major Malick Boye took him from there and handed him over to the Deputy Police Commissioner CRR, Juldeh Camara at the Janjanbureh Police Station.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba