Mandinary residents dispute the Gambia Police Force’s version of 27-year-old Omar Badjie’s death, which police say occurred during a pursuit and that he was later declared dead at the hospital.
Community witnesses report a much more violent encounter. Even after Omar was placed in handcuffs and stopped resisting, they maintain that cops brutally attacked him.
A woman who asked to remain anonymous claimed to have witnessed the incident. She recalled that when Omar collapsed to the ground, complaining of agony in his legs and being unable to move farther, officers grabbed him, shackled him, and hauled him. “The police kept beating and slapping him even though he was saying, ‘Don’t beat me,'” she added.
Tida Bojang, Omar’s mother, said she didn’t believe the police account of events. She questioned how her son’s collapse and death could have been caused by a single “push,” as the police had suggested.
Bakary Badjie, his uncle, disputed the police version as well, stating that Omar had been healthy. He was in good health when he left home. He never complained of being sick and worked out every morning,” he said.
Youths in Mandinary protested after learning of Omar’s passing, yelling “Justice for Omar,” “Who killed Omar?” and “End police brutality.”
The day following the incident, on September 27, police issued a statement stating that they had come across a group of young males who were suspected of using illegal narcotics while on patrol. The group escaped, and Omar passed out while running, the statement said. After being taken to the Banjulinding Health Centre, he was taken to Kanifing General Hospital, where he was declared deceased.
“An investigation is underway,” police noted. According to the statement, “the circumstances surrounding Omar Badjie’s death will be thoroughly and transparently investigated, and the findings will be shared with the public.”
The community is seeking a credible and open investigation into Omar Badjie’s death, and the stark discrepancy between the police story and the people’ testimonies has prompted requests for clarification.
