Police have said journalist Kebba Secka  was detained after returning from Senegal amid coronavirus outbreak and that health officials have been contacted to screen him.

Kebba Secka, a reporter with the Foroyaa newspaper, was reportedly beaten up by personnel of the Police Intervention Unit after arresting him on Friday as was heading for the Kombos from his native village of Kerr Mot Ali.

He is believe to have been still detain at Njau police station.

Speaking to Gambiana, police spokesman Superintendent Lamin Njie said: ” He was arrested and detained because he was coming from Senegal end and the Ministry of Health has been contacted to screen him for Covid-19.”

SP Lamin Njie however could not comment further on Mr Secka’s condition.

However, Kebba Secka complained that he was assaulted and directed with derogatory words by the officers despite producing Gambian documents which were demanded by the officers.

Mr Secka’s arrest has attracted a storm of condemnation by Gambian journalists.

Assault on journalists is becoming a culture as more than four journalists have been assaulted during Barrow’s administration including a crackdown on radio stations.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba