Former Gambian Army Officer Seedy Kanyi has accused Gambian Army officers of the Presidential convoy of brutally beating his nephew Kasim Kanyi to death. Mr. Kanyi who was visibly angry when speaking to Gainako radio said both the police and army officers behind the death of his young newphew must be investigated and brought to justice. Mr. Kanyi said his family are devastated of Kasim’s untimely death and are afraid to even make comments in fear of reprisal from the security forces. Seedy who served in the Gambian army for over 13 years now lives in the U,S in the State of Washington.
The late Kasim Kanyi was a young Gambian resident of Kombo Lamin who mysteriously died while in police custody in Abuko on Saturday September 7th, 2013. The young Kanyi 30 years old was riding his bicycle from Kombo Lamin going towards Abuko when he was stopped by Police who were reportedly waiting for President Jammeh’s convoy. A police officer reportedly stopped Kanyi and asked if he was aware that the President’s convoy was coming to which he said no. All of a Sudden a military vehicle pulled over, soldiers quickly disembarked and asked the police officer why the young man was talking to him. They reportedly grabbed the young man, allegedly beat him to dead and took him to Abuko police station. Eye witnesses alleged that Kanyi was dead upon arrival at the police station. The Abuko police called the family to come to the station to sign documents and pick up the young man’s body. The family refused to sign release documents telling the police Kasim left home healthy and now how could he be dead. The victim’s body was taken to RVTH dead house where he was held until Sunday when he was released to the family for proper burial.
Unconfirmed reports from the dead house claimed that the young Kanyi died of a broken neck and severe injuries to his head. There was never an autopsy conducted on the victim to find out his cause of death and therefore the family had no official confirmation on the cause of dead of Kanyi except to go by what eyewitnesses reported from both the police station and the hospital. It is a tragedy for a young man so full of hope and aspiration to just die like that without anybody held responsible for his death. Please tuned on to Gainako.com to listen to the audio interview with Seedy Kanyi.
Editors note: May the victims soul rest in perfect peace. Amin