Police have arrested a 35-year-old Nigerian national, Audu Williams, in connection with the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Esther Tango, whose body was discovered in a bush between Kitty and Siffoe villages in the West Coast Region.

According to the Gambia Police Force, the victim’s body was found on July 7, 2026. She was initially unidentified and was known only as “Jessica” until detectives from the Suba Ward Criminal Investigation Department (CID), with support from the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit, established her identity.

Police said the victim was positively identified as Esther Tango, a 41-year-old Nigerian national, after investigators recovered her Nigerian passport during a search of her residence in Brikama.

Investigators said they identified Williams as a person of interest through witness statements, crime scene examinations and the analysis of telecommunications records before inviting him for questioning.

According to the police, the suspect later confessed to the offence during the investigation.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Williams allegedly lured the deceased to Kitty on the night of July 6, 2026, where the fatal incident occurred before he allegedly abandoned her body in the bush between Kitty and Siffoe.

The suspect has been cautioned and remains in police custody. Police said he will be charged and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of The Gambia upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Gambia Police Force commended detectives and crime scene investigators for what it described as their professionalism and diligence in identifying the victim and making a swift breakthrough in the case.

By Adama Makasuba