Police have detained 19 people for staging an “unlawful” protest outside the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) headquarters on Kairaba Avenue.

The demonstrators, identified as members of the group GOMSABOPA, gathered on Friday to protest mobile data credit deductions without first securing a police permit.

Riot officers were deployed to disperse the crowd, leading to the arrest of the suspects, who were taken to Kairaba Police Station.

They have since been cautioned, charged and detained as investigations continue.

Those arrested include Lamin Daffeh, Badou Secka, Yusuf Taylor, Tumani Colley, rapper Killer Ace or Ali Cham, Abdoulie T. Bah, Alieu Sarr, Bakary Jammeh, Musa Conteh, Rofine Camara, Ansumana Touray, Bakary J. Sanyang, Lamin F.M. Marigo, Fallou Gallas Ceesay, Yahya Jaiteh, Sisaho Danso, Sulayman Manga, Ebrima Jatta and Lamin Sey.

The Gambia Police Force has reiterated its stance that no protest will be permitted without prior approval and warned that anyone found organising or participating in unauthorised demonstrations will face legal consequences.

By Adama Makasuba