The Gambia Inspector General of Police Seedy Muctarr Touray has asked road clearing team to halt operation until after the Muslim feast of Eid (Tobaski). 

The nation’s most senior police officer’s order followed a clash between the team and Brikama Area Council over attempt to clear the town’s roads of illegal structures.

In a meeting with the chairman of Brikama Area Council Yankuba Darboe and Bakary Manneh, the head of operation team at his office, IGP Touray said: “By Wednesday, these places should be vacated. And I am going to hold myself personally responsible, institutionally responsible, regionally responsible if there are any lapses. That said I want my brother to halt this operation until after the [Eid] prayer.”

The Barrow government has been criticised over the demolition operation that has affected petty traders trying to make ends meet. 

However, the government insisted that the operation is for the good of the country, while adding that “it’s a transformative drive for the nation’s development”. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba