The Gambia police have stripped some VIPs and foreign diplomats of their resident guards. 

“The Police Command has accordingly withdrawn resident guards previously assigned to certain VIPs due to operational exigencies,” the police said in a statement.

“The affected categories of personalities include former Vice Presidents, all Government Advisers as well as Magistrates. 

“The personal orderlies of former VPs are not affected by the exercise. The decision was not a sudden withdrawal as a formal notice was sent to all affected personalities about three weeks ago.”

“Also, based on the principle of reciprocal relations governing diplomatic institutions, countries that do not provide security to Gambian diplomatic missions may not continue to enjoy security benefits from the state guards,” the statement added.

Police however assured to continue to strengthen it’s patrols, surveillance and crime prevention initiatives to ensure security for the general public.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba