The Gambia Police say their preliminary investigation has found no sign of “external involvement” in the deaths of a Mauritanian couple in Kololi.

The couple are named locally as Sheikh and Mariama Babou. Neighbours have expressed their shock after the ‘friendly’ couple were found dead in their shop last week with fatal injuries. One line of inquiry is murder-suicide relating to domestic dispute.

In a press release on Thursday, the police spokesman, Lamin Njie said:

 “On Thursday 30th May 2019, at around 1800 hours, the Office of the Inspector General of Police received information that the shop of Sheikh Babou, a Mauritanian, situated at Kololi had not been opened for quite a while and an unpleasant odour was exuding from the shop.

“The information prompted officers to immediately visit the scene where the lifeless bodies of a man and woman identified as Sheikh Babou and Mariama Babou, his wife were found. Also their six month old daughter was found alive.

“The officers immediately evacuated the child to the Serekunda General Hospital for medical attention as she too sustained injuries.

“The scene was preserved, protected and subsequently visited by forensics and crime scene experts who examined and collected evidence from the scene.

“Preliminary investigations revealed no signs of external involvement as so far evidence points to supposed domestic violence leading to a fight resulting to the death of both.

“This is further corroborated by evidence of previous history of violence and mental health issues around the couple.

“After taking appropriate actions, the Police eventually moved the bodies to Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital for autopsy.

“The Office of the Inspector – General of Police hereby informs the public that investigations are ongoing and its outcome will be made public as soon as it concluded.

“Meanwhile, the baby is positively responding to treatment.

“The general public is encouraged to come forward with information that may be useful to the investigation.”