Police in Kuntaur arrested at least six men from Mbolbuck village following a protracted land dispute with neighboring Sare Nyanga Jallube. Witnesses reported that a team of officers, including members of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU), arrived in the village on Saturday afternoon and detained the youths without explanation.
“We were ordered into the pickup truck and driven to Kuntaur Police Station,” said one detainee, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “No one told us why we were being taken.”
Authorities have yet to comment on the arrests, as repeated attempts to reach the Kuntaur station officer were unsuccessful.
The dispute stems from competing claims over farmland, with residents of Mbolbuck accusing Niani District Chief Pierre Bah and Central River Region Governor Ousman Bah of bias. They allege the officials have sided with Sare NyangaJallube’s alkalo (village head), Nofong Jallow, in unlawfully seizing their ancestral lands.
In May, Mbolbuck Youth Association President Hamadi Kandeh petitioned the CRR Police Commissioner, warning of rising tensions. His letter detailed encroachment by Jallow’s supporters, who allegedly threatened to block Mbolbuck farmers from accessing the contested fields.
“We have farmed this land for generations and will not surrender it to intimidation,” Kandeh wrote. Despite the appeal, no visible intervention was made, raising concerns over law enforcement’s role in de-escalating the crisis.
“The police seem to be doing the dirty work of the district chief and the regional governor, and intimidating the villagers of Mbolbuck. But we will not surrender to any illegal seizure of our farmlands,” another detainee said.
Broader Implications
The arrests highlight growing frustrations over unresolved land conflicts in rural Gambia, where weak governance and alleged corruption often exacerbate disputes. Community leaders are calling for urgent mediation to prevent further unrest.
This story is developing. Updates will follow as more details emerge.
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