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Ex-NIA Chief, Pa M.K.Jallow Dies

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

According to our unimpeachable sources nestled within the corridors of state power, the erstwhile former Director General of the notorious National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Pa M. K. Jallow has died. Jallow about 63, was the premier Director General of the NSS-National Security Services the precursor to the all too powerful NIA during the pre-coup years. Following a distinguished public career Jallow was elevated to the rank of United Nations’ Permanent Representative to New York where he served honorably until after the July 22, 1994 military coup.

He was recalled and served as Permanent Secretary at the Ministries of Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs before he retired eight years ago. He later took up a Gambia Government contract that saw him as High Commissioner to Nigeria until in the wake of the foiled military coup of March, 2006 when he was appointed Director General of the irredeemable NIA to probably cleanse its atrocious reputation. During the image repair mission, several detainees were released and the all too powerful agency began to show a human face albeit, cosmetically.

Predictably, Jallow’s second tour at the NIA was short-lived and until he left about six months ago, no attempts were under foot to investigate the torture and execution of his colleague Daba Marenah and four other security detainees allegedly linked with attempts to seize power from Yahya Jammeh. When news came trickling that Jallow the poster-boy for rapprochement was leaving, several people raised eyebrows as to the reasons why and the inherent implications of the void, but like most things Gambian, it was mere melodrama, a celebration at hysteria.

As we went to press our correspondent Kissy Kissy Mansa is busy investigating the cause of death. Pa M.K. Jallow’s remains are scheduled to be laid to rest later this evening. May his soul rest in eternal peace-amen!All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this article or any other article or image, or portions thereof, in any form or context without the expressed permission of The Gambia Echo Newspaper.