Tension is escalating in Madina Kanuma village following the exhumation of Edrisa Nyang’s grave next to the central mosque.

A video shared with Gambiana shows the grave being disturbed. The Nyang family, many of whom are his grandsons have threatened legal action against those responsible for the exhumation.

Efforts to resolve the matter through The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council have yielded no results so far, as talks between the two disputing parties have failed.

However, the Supreme Islamic Council has requested patience from the Nyang family and additional time to help address the matter.

One of Nyang’s grandsons stated in the video, “We want to know where they have taken the remains of our grandfather and what the reason was for exhuming his grave.”

“This village was founded by our grandfather, and he was the one who built this mosque. Every year, we gather here to honour him with Quranic recitations,” he added.

Under Gambian law, it is unlawful to exhume the remains of the dead without legal authorisation. The exhumers could face trespassing charges under Section 205 of the Criminal Code Act No. 25 of 1993.

If convicted, they could face a prison sentence of up to three years.

By Adama Makasuba