4 Military Recruits Die at Fajara Barracks

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief             

According to highly placed military sources, four military recruits died at the Fajara Military Depot early this week and to date, the state is concealing the information from the public. Reveals our indefatigable military affairs operative, Officer “X” (a.k.a OX), “four young military recruits collapsed and died later at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) in Banjul and until now, the Jammeh regime is concealing the information.” The four, reportedly in their early twenties, fell to the ground during what “OX’ calls Combat Fitness Test (BFT) and were subsequently rushed to the RVTH where, they were all pronounced dead upon arrival.

While it is not clear what the exact cause of death is, what is obvious is that “conditions at the Fajara military camp have worsened progressively” remarked a very angry OX. “There is no order or discipline in the camp, the entire structure is politicized and in today’s military, it is who you know and not competence and disciplined as it was before, said OX. “Can you imagine senior military officers openly abusing drugs, harassing junior officers and threatening violence?” marvels OX.

Asked if it were normal for recruits to die during BFT, OX said while BFT is pretty tough, it is the drilling methods that can easily go out of hand and lead to serious injury or death. Some of the drill sergeants are usually highly intoxicated and some are always on heavy drugs during BFT and instead of treating the exhausted recruits with professionalism, they will drag them by their shirt collars, using profanities and threatening to harm the poor recruits” laments OX. Reveals OX, “given the hot tropical climate in The Gambia coupled with the fact that most of our recruits are highly malnourished from poor provincial homes; what do you expect when you have a drill sergeant on hard drugs, dragging and kicking exhausted or dehydrated recruits in the sweltering sun?” 

In a related twist, while the state is mute over allegations of a curfew imposition by the Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh, there is evidence aplenty that the presidential decree is well in place. Evidence?  Today’s The Point newspaper ran front page story detailing the case of 35 young ladies, the youngest 16, paraded before the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court only because they were seen at 10:0 0pm. Below we reproduce the story verbatim for the benefit of our readers:

  “35 Young Ladies Charged

The Point newspaper of Thursday october 15, 2009

34 women and a minor girl of 16 years, yesterday 14th October 2009, pleaded not guilty to a charge of rogue and vagabond behaviour levied against them by the state.

A collection of ladies were arraigned at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, presided by Principal Magistrate Joseph E. Ikpala for allegedly contravening Section 167 of the Criminal Code, Laws of The Gambia.

The following are the accused persons constituting both Gambians and non-Gambians: Fatou Sanneh, Fansainey Fatty, Bintou Sanneh, Amie Colley, Sonna Saidy, Mariama Barry, Nyima Colley, Sainabou Jobe, Isatou Camara, Oumie Jallow, Aminata Camara, Rebeca Enodo, Matida Enio, Astou Bah, Banna Colley, Clinda Rebeca, Amie Bah, Issatou Lamarana Bah, Aji Joof, Nafisatou Camara, Tracy B. Joco, Edi Jusu, Mariama Jatta, Binta Sawaneh, Rugiatou Bah, Yafatou Mbye, Jankey Colley, Kadijatou Jallow, Adama Sowe, Agnes Katty, Awa Colley, (name withheld), Jenifa Barry, Isatou Wally and Mamy Jeng.

According to the particulars of offence, the alleged suspects were arrested at Bertil Harding Highway and diverse places within the Kanifing Municipal Council where they were found wondering along the Highway at about 22:00 hours which led to the conclusion that they were there for illegal or disorderly purpose to wit soliciting men for prostitution.

Upon reading the charges to the accused persons in the language they claimed to understand, all of them strongly denied the charges.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Ahmed Touray then applied for a short adjournment to enable him call his witnesses. As he stated, the case file was sent to him (prosecutor) a while ago for prosecution from Bakau Police Station.

The adjudicating Magistrate, in his ruling, granted the application made by the prosecution and further granted the accused persons court bail in the sum of D10, 000 and one surety with Gambian Identity Card who should be residing within the Greater Banjul area.

The case is expected to continue on 28th October 2009.

Author: Soury Camara”