By Mustapha Jallow
The family of Babanding Yabou, a resident of Kiang Bambako in the Lower River Region (LRR), is still searching for him since he was reported arrested by the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) on Monday, 9 May 2016.
According to Omar Yabou, the son, who walked into Foroyaa office to a lodge complained about his missing father, noting he last spoke to him on his cell phone in the afternoon of the day he went missing.
“I was taking to him on the phone when he told me that he will soon reach Westfield when the communication cut off. I tried to connect to him with several unsuccessful calls but his phone was repeatedly telling me ‘the number you have dialed is switched off, please try again later’,” said the son.
He said after this they started searching for him until they were told by the supporters of the United Democratic Party (UDP) that their father was part of those who were arrested around PIU headquarters in Kanifing.
Omar explained that his father came down to the Kombo’s the previous day (Sunday) to follow his mentally ill brother, Bakary Yarbo, who was escorted by the police in Kwinella to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) for treatment. He said when the father was leaving their home village, he called to inform him that from Banjul he would be visiting him (Omar) at his home in Farato to solicit for financial assistance from him in order to facilitate the treatment of his mentally deranged brother. He said his brother was later referred for admission at the Tanka Tanka psychiatric hospital while his father was trying to come to him when he got arrested.
The distraught looking son said they are appealing to the members of general public for anyone who sees their father to inform them about his whereabouts and to authorities, if he is arrested, to either release or take him before a court of law. He said they are also making this appeal for the sake of their mentally ill brother who is solely being taken care of by their missing father.
It was earlier reported that 36 United Democratic Party (UDP) supporters were arrested and held incommunicado at an unknown location since 9 May which was the day when their party leaders and members were taken to court in Banjul. Information on these arrests and subsequent detention was confirmed to this medium by Mr. Dembo Bojang, UDP National President.
