By Edrissa Jallow and Yusef Taylor
The National Assembly Member (NAM) for Banjul North, Hon Modou Lamin B. Bah told Gainako Online News that he reported a case of arson at his residence to the Police for action. The incident occurred just days after Hon Bah celebrated his Parliamentary elections victory which took place on Saturday 18th June 2022.
On 21st June 2022, the former Banjul City Council Spokesperson, posted on social media that “someone wanted to set my house on fire in the early hours of Monday 20th June 2022 in the Banjul. I urge the defence and security forces of The Gambia to accelerate their efforts in protecting the lives and properties of the people…”
The member who won a Parliamentary seat via the United Democratic Party ticket sent us this photo of a burnt hole in a wire guzz at his house. He confirmed to Gainako that the arsonist(s) escaped before managing to set the house ablaze. According to Hon Bah, after he reported the incident to the Police about the incident they sent Officers to his residence to take some photos.
Our reporter asked the young Parliamentarian if Police had apprehended any suspects, to which he responded in the negative. According to Hon Bah, “the police haven’t apprehended anybody yet because the unfortunate part of it is that my family and I don’t have any suspect, so it’s still under investigation.”
Hon Bah informed our reporter that he “wrote to the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly for the attention of the Office of the Speaker concerning the emergency of providing security or protection at my house”. In pursuance of his request, Hon Bah confirmed to Gainako Online News that the office of the Clerk wrote to the Office of the Inspector General of Police on 28th June 2022, to provide security for his residence. However, this hasn’t materialised yet.
The letter from the Clerk noted that Hon Bah “forwarded the report to the Offices of the Speaker and Clerk of the National Assembly for the attention of the authorities as well as request for personal security protection”.
Asked about his family’s safety the Banjul North Parliamentarian explained that since the unfortunate incident occurred he has been very vigilant and taking all the precautionary measures to ensure his family’s safety as best as he can.