By Mustapha Jallow
Mr. Emmanuel Daniel Joof, the Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Wednesday said his institution has engaged the Gambia Police Force over the alleged beating of Chipa Yi, a Banjulian rapper and other reports of abuses by paramilitary officers.
This came when the Gambian rapper alleged that he was beaten up mercilessly by the paramilitary officers (PIUs).
“We engaged the police over the matter and they themselves are investigating the issue as well,” Mr Joof said.
He added that the commission has also sent its investigators and legal team to do their own independent enquiries both at the Police headquarters and with the victim.
“We have taken this and other reports of abuses seriously with the Inspector General of Police (IGP). We want to see that something is done to ensure it is addressed,” NHRC Chairperson explained.
Mr Joof promised to share further details once their investigators are done looking into the case.
The victim, Chaipa Yi, told this medium that: “I’ve just reported my case of Police brutality by Police Intervention Unit Officers to the NHRC, who have promised to investigate the matter.”
The Banjulian artist added: “Yesterday (14th December, 2021), I visited the Police Headquarters who also promised to investigate the matter. They told me that a case has been opened to investigate the matter.”
He said gone are the days when “our men in uniform brutalise citizens and go scot free.”
Meanwhile, the Police spokesperson earlier told Foroyaa that they have opened an investigation into allegations levelled against their officers.
“We received a complaint from the rapper. Currently, our detectives in the professional unit are probing into the matter,” said Superintendent (Spt.) Lamin Njie, Police spokesperson.
