By Sainabou Sambou
A chilling account of the fatal shooting of two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers at the Sukuta-Jabang traffic light on September 12, 2023, gripped the High Court in Banjul on Monday as Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) soldier Omar S. Jallow testified. The case, presided over by Justice Jaiteh, involves Ousainou Bojang and Amie Bojang, both charged in connection with the deadly incident that has sent shockwaves through the nation.
Jallow, a Corporal stationed at the Gambia Armed Forces Training School (GAFTS) in September 2023, recounted the harrowing events under examination by Defense Counsel Lamin L. Darboe, representing the first accused, Ousainou Bojang. His testimony painted a vivid picture of a routine evening turned tragic.
On the day of the incident, Jallow said he and two colleagues, Bakary R. Jarju and Isliama Bojang, had gone to Palma Rima Beach for exercise after closing at 5 p.m. from GAFTS. Hungry after their workout, the trio decided to buy afra (grilled meat) near the Sukuta-Jabang traffic light while waiting for transport home. Jallow contributed D100, while Isliama provided D200 for the meal. He crossed the road alone to purchase the food, leaving his companions near a building materials shop.
Upon returning, Jallow noticed three PIU officers—two men and one woman—standing nearby. Moments later, chaos erupted. “While we were eating, we heard a gunshot,” Jallow told the court. “One officer fell, another struggled with the shooter and was shot, and the female officer was shot in the back as she tried to run.” The shooter, dressed in a cream-colored kaftan, fired another shot into the air before fleeing toward Sukuta, disappearing into a dark area.
Jallow, a rifle instructor with 11 years of logistics experience in the GAF, emphasized his professionalism in not pursuing the armed suspect. “I was not afraid,” he said. “I acted in a professional manner because it was not safe to chase an armed person when I had no weapon.” He returned to the scene, which was initially deserted, and later helped secure it when others arrived. Two empty bullet casings were recovered by his colleagues and handed to him.
Under cross-examination by Defense Counsel Adama Sillah, representing Amie Bojang, Jallow confirmed he joined the army in 2011 and was an off-duty instructor at the time of the incident. He acknowledged his firearms expertise, noting, “I’m a rifle instructor and train soldiers in shooting.” When asked about the shooter’s proficiency, Jallow’s response was striking: “He handled the pistol with skill. A pistol is more complex than an AK-47, and it takes training to use it properly.” However, he maintained he could not identify the shooter and saw no female suspect at the scene.
The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions A.M. Yusuf, briefly questioned Jallow, who confirmed his rank as Corporal in September 2023 but could not recall the exact date of his promotion. Jallow also admitted to traveling to Turkey between September 24 and 26, 2023, shortly after the incident. However, he denied being at Sera Nema Kunku or Numbeh Kebbeh, a route he occasionally used to travel to his village.
The court also heard that Jallow’s phone number appeared in an Africell call log presented by data analyst Abubacarr Jarju, though Jallow could not recall which of his three SIM cards he used that day. After the shooting, he and his colleagues reported to the military police, who escorted them to the Anti-Crime Unit in Banjulinding to give statements.
Jallow’s testimony provided a gripping firsthand account, describing the initial gunshot as what he thought was a “negligent discharge” until he witnessed the calculated execution of the officers. The courtroom was silent as he recounted the female officer’s desperate attempt to flee, only to be shot in the back.
The Sukuta-Jabang shooting has drawn significant public attention, raising questions about security and accountability. The case is scheduled to continue on October 6, 2025, at the High Court in Banjul. As the trial progresses, the nation awaits further revelations in this tragic chapter of Gambia’s recent history.
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