Police have charged Abba Demba and Amadou Bailo Jallow, both resident of Mandinary village with attempted murder.

The suspects are accused of trying to kill Lamin Kanyi and Muhammed Dembale after accusing the victims of stealing an unspecified amount of money. 

The accused are known to be returnees from Libya.

Inspector Alieu Jamanka, deputy spokesman of the police said the suspects were arrested by the west regional task force after receiving a tip off from one SI Fadera of Mandinari Police station that two boys were held hostage by a group or gang of boys in Mandinary on 3 of May 2022.

“ [And] this gang comprises returnees from Libya, we call them locally backway boys. And it is said to be a notorious gang in that area. 

“Upon receive of the information, a team led by the task force reached out the place and the suspects were found to have tied two boys and tortured them severely after dumped them in an abandoned well which is two metres deep and set them on fire. 

They were crying for help, but there was no help,” he said.

“After some time, they were removed from the well and taken to a nearby mangrove swamp where they were attempted to be slaughtered. And the Police reached the scene, the suspects were arrested. 

“These suspects are one Abba Demba, a resident of Mandinary, Amadou Bailo Jallow. Investigation revealed Lamin Kanyi and Muhammed Dembale were accused by Abba Demba of stealing an unspecified amount of money which was entrusted to them by Yaya Gassama for safe keeping. 

“These Lamin Kanyi and Muhammed Dembale subsequently taken to the bush and tortured and after this torture was meted on them the task force recused them and brought them to the station,” he added.

“As I speak to you right now, both accused persons have been charged with attempt to commit murder contrary to criminal code laws of The Gambia. Also, it will be interesting to know that the victims Lamin Kanyi and Muhammed Dembale who are all residents of Mandinary were taken to the hospital for medical treatment and they are recuperating as I talk to you,” he continued.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba