By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT
Yesterday Gainako’s Flex Dan reported that outspoken Gambian rapper / activist Ali “Killa Ace” Cham and dozen others including the brother of now late Ousman Darboe were arrested by Gambia’s Anti Crime Unit (ACU). Today after visiting Killa Ace and another brother of now late Ousman Darboe at Kairaba Police station among others we have just received news that Killa Ace is being transferred to Police Headquarters in Banjul.
Police PRO Speaks
Earlier this afternoon a source sent an exclusive interview with Police PRO, Lamin Njie who confirmed that “they are being arrested and investigated on their involvement into incidents of vandalism and burning and destruction of property that took place” at last month’s protest. Killa Ace is well known for his music condemning Police brutality and has released music calling out Anti Crime Chief Gorgi Mboob for his involvement in April 2000 students massacre.
Asked if the Police have any evidence that the “Go Gotta Go” rapper was involved in any vandalism Mr. Njie said that “he is one of the people that was equally like the other people, whose name came up as far as their involvement so he’s just the same as any other person”. Pressed further on how much evidence they had to charge Killa Ace, Mr Njie said “that’s why the investigations are ongoing hopefully if those details are put together we may be able to say something … investigations are ongoing regarding how much involved they are”.
According to the Police PRO “they will likely be put before the court” and that “they are with the Police at Kairaba”. According to his estimate the number of detainees connected to the protest were “about 12 people”. Questioned when they will be released he responded casually “am not sure yet but hopefully they will be.”
Speaking to Gainako, an Executive of Serrekunda Market workers Union “SK Boka Loho”, Mr Demba Njie, highlighted that eleven of their members have been arrested in connection to last month’s protest. According to him six people are being detained at Bundung Police Station.
Two Brothers of Late Ousman Darboe involved
Yesterday at the ACU HQ an officer informed concerned family members that a panel was constituted at Kairaba Police station which we now understand are investigating the willful damage of properties during last months protest which saw emotions erupt onto the streets following the death of Ousman Darboe, a Seirra Leonean abd Market vendor at Serrekunda.
After visiting Kairaba Police Station we were informed that two brothers of Ousman Darboe, namely; Muhammed Darboe and Omar Trawally were also arrested yesterday in connection to last month’s protest. Speaking to Omar at Kairaba he informed us that his brother Muhammed Darboe has been released. It’s been reported that six people have been detained at Kairaba Police Station.
Killa Ace moved to Banjul
Speaking to Killa Ace at Kairaba we were made to understand that after the group of detainees gave a statement at Talingding yesterday evening they were charged with willful damage and then moved to Kairaba Police station where they were met by concerned family members.
After visiting Kairaba Police station today I was informed that six people were in their custody and another six in Bundung Police station. It is believed that some detainees are located at ACU HQ in Bijilo. As of this evening Gainako sources have reported that Killa Ace is being moved to Police Headquarters in Banjul. It’s not clear why he is being isolated from other detainees. Many have condemned the detention of Killa Ace with some highlighting that members of the Junglers have been granted bail while Killa Ace is being denied bail.
- The Author of this article is a friend and colleague of Ali “Killa Ace” Cham