By Nelson Manneh
The Gambia police have arrested multiple suspects in connection with an armed robbery that took place in Banjul on February 8, authorities said.
Cadet Assistant Superintendent Modou Musa Sisawo, a spokesperson for the Gambia Police Force, announced the arrests on Sunday, describing them as a significant breakthrough in the investigation.
The robbery, he said, occurred at El Hella Shop on Hegan Street at approximately 9:08 a.m. The victim, Muhammed Seedy Hydra of Brikama, told police he had traveled to Banjul with one million, two hundred and forty-five dalasi (D1,245,000) and one million six hundred and fifty thousand (1,650,000) CFA francs to purchase goods. Upon his arrival, he noticed an ash-colored BMW without a license plate parked outside. Soon after he entered the shop, two armed men burst in, held him at gunpoint, and made off with the cash before fleeing the scene.
Authorities said the suspects abandoned the vehicle in Banjul and used a commercial taxi to escape to Sting Corner, where they divided the stolen money.
“Through intensive investigations, police arrested the suspects,” Mr. Sisawo said.
Among those detained was Ousainou Jobarteh, an Ivorian national residing in Busumbala. Officers apprehended him early Sunday morning, recovering 70,250 dalasis and 465,000 CFA francs. During questioning, he reportedly admitted to conspiring with Abdoulie Jallow, a 24-year-old resident of Barra, and using his BMW—later identified as bearing registration number BJL 4871B—to carry out the robbery.
Jobarteh also allegedly told investigators that Amadou Wurry Jallow, a mechanic, had been tasked with driving the BMW out of Banjul for maintenance and repainting to conceal evidence. The car was later intercepted at Bond Road around 9 p.m.
Later that day, police arrested Mr. Jallow and his girlfriend, Bella James, at Serrekunda Villa around 4:30 p.m. Officers recovered 198,000 dalasis from him, along with an additional 24,000 dalasis in his Wave mobile account. However, no CFA francs were found in his possession.
“The stolen money was divided among the suspects,” Mr. Sisawo said. “Jobarteh admitted to giving 70,250 dalasis and 465,000 CFA francs to his wife, Tida Nyang, along with an additional 3,000 dalasis for personal use. He further stated that he entrusted 304,000 dalasis to Odile Secka, a resident of Banjul, bringing the total amount handed to third parties to 377,250 dalasis and 465,000 CFA francs.”
Guinea-Bissau Authorities Arrest Suspect in Bank Robbery Case
In a separate case, authorities in Guinea-Bissau have arrested Ansu Jarju, a Gambian national, in connection with an armed robbery at an Access Bank branch in Brusubi, Mr. Sisawo said.
Guinea-Bissau has handed Mr. Jarju over to Gambian authorities as part of a security cooperation agreement.
“Police have recovered firearms and other incriminating evidence, further strengthening the case against the arrested individuals,” Mr. Sisawo said. “Investigators are working to determine whether these suspects are linked to other armed robberies in the country. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.”
The Gambia Police Force commended its officers for their swift response and reassured the public of its commitment to maintaining law and order.
