ASP Binta Njie, the former police spokesperson, was reportedly summoned for administrative caution at the police headquarters yesterday due to a social media post she made in response to comments from NPP supporter Baboucarr Bahoum regarding the people of Kiang.
After the ruling party’s loss to the opposition UDP in the Kiang Massembeh ward by-election on Saturday, Mr. Bahoum referred to the people of Kiang as ‘ungrateful,’ which incited anger among many citizens who are now demanding his arrest.
ASP Njie, a current senior police officer from Kiang, was one of those who were upset by Bahoum’s comments.
On her Facebook page, Njie remarked that Baboucarr Bahoum’s comments ‘illustrate a troubling trend where political frustrations are conveyed through sweeping and damaging generalisations, and that such statements not only offend but also exacerbate divisions, nurturing resentment that can undermine social cohesion and stability.’
She cautioned that if such rhetoric is not addressed, it could lead to genuine security threats, such as civil unrest or conflicts within communities.
Shortly after, sources familiar with the situation informed The Standard that Njie’s remarks were not well received by her superiors at the police headquarters, who requested that she remove the post.
Njie reportedly clarified that she was expressing her views as a member of the Kiang community and declined to remove the post, leading to her being summoned and interrogated yesterday morning.
A source indicated that the police high command contemplated summoning her as a precautionary measure to deter other officers from making statements that could be interpreted as politically charged.
“As we approach the 2026 elections, it is possible that we will witness comparable actions from other serving officers regarding political matters. Therefore, it is essential to implement specific administrative measures to prevent such occurrences,” a police source informed The Standard.
Nonetheless, the news of ASP Njie’s summoning elicited strong reactions from the public, the majority of whom feel she did nothing wrong in denouncing Bahoum’s perilous comments.
Journalist Mustapha Darboe noted that the former police spokesperson’s statement should not be regarded as a political comment.
“What she addressed was a speech, made by a politician at a political event— elections— yet it is not fundamentally a political statement.” Mr. Bahoum’s statement was an offensive remark directed at a community he believed was misguided in their support for an opposition party. The policewoman, as a member of that community, asserts that such behaviour must not be tolerated. “Certainly, security officials are not meant to engage in issues that are inherently partisan; however, in light of Binta’s statement, labelling it as partisan would be an excessive interpretation,” the journalist remarked.
In the meantime, the police have stated that they have also invited Mr. Bahoum regarding his remarks. He was released; however, it remains unclear if any charges have been filed against him.
As we went to press last night, the police released the following statement regarding the matter: “The Gambia Police Force is dedicated to maintaining professionalism and ethical standards among all officers.” ASP Binta Njie, as a serving member of the force, is bound by the same internal regulations and guidelines that govern conduct.
Officers are required to uphold the integrity and impartiality of the police, avoiding any actions that might jeopardise the institution’s reputation. ASP Binta Njie has not been arrested or interrogated; however, the police will address the situation through administrative channels following the established disciplinary procedures.Additional updates will be shared as needed.
