Back and Next - Back and NextIGP warns foreigners As six arrested for kidnapping
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Ensa Badjie, Inspector General of Police, has made a strong statement, warning foreigners, especially Nigerians, and all unpatriotic Gambians to desist from the act of kidnapping and other unlawful activities.
IGP Badjie made this statement, yesterday, at his office at the Police Headquarters in Banjul, following the arrest and detention of six Nigerians, for the alleged kidnapping of a 71 year old Australian national, Justin Liebig. The culprits include: Joseph Okeke, alias Charles or Doctor S Yahya; Nanso Mbasoh; Onuwa Ibaim; Nonso Odowa; Arinze Izuchukwu; Pius Patrick and Awa Touray, a Gambian from Kololi.
According to IGP Badjie, the Nigerians, as earlier mentioned, had kidnapped the 71 year old Australian man, keeping him in custody for nine days (from 1st - 9th February). He said that they kept him in a toilet at their residence in Kololi. The police boss revealed that the victim was tied to a chair in the toilet, with his mouth covered, apparently to prevent him from making any noise that could lead to people taking notice of his presence. “They threatened and forcefully obtained 5,000 Euros from his family in Australia, while he was in their custody”, IGP Badjie revealed.
“Enough is enough,” he said, and added, “this is the 3rd time that Nigerians are kidnapping people in The Gambia. They have to abide by the constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, or else, they will face the due process of the law if they commit any offence.”
He went on: “We have different foreigners in the country but the Nigerians are the only people behaving in such a manner. We will not tolerate it. The same warning goes to unpatriotic Gambians and any other foreigner who is conniving with such people to commit such offence in the country.” IGP Badjie hailed the effort of Africell GSM Company for the support given to them in tracing such offenders.
For his part, Commissioner Yankuba Sonko, Crime Management coordinator of The Gambia Police Force, said the culprits had been communicating with the victim (Justin Liebig) since last year. He disclosed that they had agreement with him (the victim) to set up a financial institution to help poor people in The Gambia. He added that Liebig accepted and sent them over 45,000 Euros in almost a one year period.
CMC Sonko disclosed that the Nigerians went on to convince the Australian to visit The Gambia, to check on their business. “On his arrival on 1st February 2009, he was received by 3 Nigerians at the Airport, who took him to their residence in Kololi. They tied him to a chair and covered his mouth before locking him in the toilet. He spent 9 days there, and they gave him food to eat only once. He was also threatened and forced to call his family in Australia to send him 5,000 Euros”, CMC Sonko revealed.
According to him, the Nigerians contacted Awa Touray, a Gambian who lives in Kololi, to withdraw the 5,000 Euros, equivalent to D158,000. “Awa Touray agreed to withdraw the money and demanded for half of that amount. They even went further to demand for another 100,000 Euros from the Australian man,” CMC Sonko told journalists.
According to him, the family of the victim informed the Australian Embassy in South Africa, who in turn informed The Gambia Police Force. He added that they acted on the matter, with the support they received from Africell and Gamcel GSM companies, and eventually traced the alleged kidnappers. Superintendent Ma Lamin Ceesay, commanding officer of the Major Crime Unit, said the alleged kidnappers will be charged with conspiracy, kidnapping and obtaining money by false pretence.
IGP Badjie made this statement, yesterday, at his office at the Police Headquarters in Banjul, following the arrest and detention of six Nigerians, for the alleged kidnapping of a 71 year old Australian national, Justin Liebig. The culprits include: Joseph Okeke, alias Charles or Doctor S Yahya; Nanso Mbasoh; Onuwa Ibaim; Nonso Odowa; Arinze Izuchukwu; Pius Patrick and Awa Touray, a Gambian from Kololi.
According to IGP Badjie, the Nigerians, as earlier mentioned, had kidnapped the 71 year old Australian man, keeping him in custody for nine days (from 1st - 9th February). He said that they kept him in a toilet at their residence in Kololi. The police boss revealed that the victim was tied to a chair in the toilet, with his mouth covered, apparently to prevent him from making any noise that could lead to people taking notice of his presence. “They threatened and forcefully obtained 5,000 Euros from his family in Australia, while he was in their custody”, IGP Badjie revealed.
“Enough is enough,” he said, and added, “this is the 3rd time that Nigerians are kidnapping people in The Gambia. They have to abide by the constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, or else, they will face the due process of the law if they commit any offence.”
He went on: “We have different foreigners in the country but the Nigerians are the only people behaving in such a manner. We will not tolerate it. The same warning goes to unpatriotic Gambians and any other foreigner who is conniving with such people to commit such offence in the country.” IGP Badjie hailed the effort of Africell GSM Company for the support given to them in tracing such offenders.
For his part, Commissioner Yankuba Sonko, Crime Management coordinator of The Gambia Police Force, said the culprits had been communicating with the victim (Justin Liebig) since last year. He disclosed that they had agreement with him (the victim) to set up a financial institution to help poor people in The Gambia. He added that Liebig accepted and sent them over 45,000 Euros in almost a one year period.
CMC Sonko disclosed that the Nigerians went on to convince the Australian to visit The Gambia, to check on their business. “On his arrival on 1st February 2009, he was received by 3 Nigerians at the Airport, who took him to their residence in Kololi. They tied him to a chair and covered his mouth before locking him in the toilet. He spent 9 days there, and they gave him food to eat only once. He was also threatened and forced to call his family in Australia to send him 5,000 Euros”, CMC Sonko revealed.
According to him, the Nigerians contacted Awa Touray, a Gambian who lives in Kololi, to withdraw the 5,000 Euros, equivalent to D158,000. “Awa Touray agreed to withdraw the money and demanded for half of that amount. They even went further to demand for another 100,000 Euros from the Australian man,” CMC Sonko told journalists.
According to him, the family of the victim informed the Australian Embassy in South Africa, who in turn informed The Gambia Police Force. He added that they acted on the matter, with the support they received from Africell and Gamcel GSM companies, and eventually traced the alleged kidnappers. Superintendent Ma Lamin Ceesay, commanding officer of the Major Crime Unit, said the alleged kidnappers will be charged with conspiracy, kidnapping and obtaining money by false pretence.
Author: by Assan Sallah
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