The country’s National Human Rights Commission has launched an investigation into allegations of torture against Gorgui Mboob and the Anti-Crime Unit. 

“The Commission attention has been drawn to the disturbing news circulating on social media about the alleged serious assault meted out on one Ebrima Sanneh of Brikama by the commander of the Anti-Crime Unit Commissioner Gorgui Mboob on Friday 24th July at the Headquarters of the Anti Crime Unit leading to grievous bodily harm  and hospitalisation of the said Ebrima Sanneh,” the Commission said in a press statement signed by its chairman Emmanuel Daniel Joof. 

“The NHRC condemns all and any acts of police brutality in its strongest terms and wishes to remind the officers of the Anti-Crime Unit, and all security officers, that no one has the right to subject anyone to any form of brutality, torture or inhuman, degrading punishment or other treatment. 

“It is therefore worrying to hear news about police officers, who are required to be custodians of law and order, allegedly violating the rights of others. The police are to ensure that the rights of all who come into contact with them are respected and protected.

“The NHRC is investigating the said allegations and will recommend the appropriate action to take to make sure that justice is done if it is established that any form of torture was committed.”

The head of Police Anti-Crime Unit Gorgui Mboob has been accused of torture including the hitting of a suspect on his genital with a hoe. 

Ebrima Sanneh claimed on Saturday that Mr Mboob subjected him and several other youths who were arrested to force labour at the Anti Crime Unit farm. 

He alleged that an argument ensued with an ACU officer when one of the corn he was picking fell. He said Mr Mboob accosted him and the argument then escalated to assault. 

He claimed Gorgi Mboob used a farming tool (hoe) to hit him in his genital forcing him to collapse to the ground screaming.

Gorgi Mboob denied the torture allegations. He claimed that Ebrima Sanneh fell while he was farming.