Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has announced the dismissal of Lance Corporal Alieu Jallow after a thorough investigation found him guilty of involvement in the mass killing of vultures, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage among environmentalists and conservation groups.
In a statement released on Friday, GAF said Jallow has been dismissed from the army and handed over to the police “for full enforcement of the law.” The force reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the environment, pledging continued collaboration with government institutions, environmental agencies, and the public to safeguard the country’s wildlife and natural resources.
The move follows a GAF publication on 8 August 2025 confirming that investigations were underway into the poisoning of hundreds of vultures in the Western Region. Conservationists had raised alarm over the ecological impact of the killings, noting that vultures play a crucial role in the ecosystem by preventing the spread of disease through carcass disposal.
Lance Corporal Jallow, who was earlier implicated in the incident, was accused of deliberately poisoning carcasses that led to the deaths of the birds. Environmental campaigners, including BirdLife International and the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management, described the massacre as one of the worst recorded in the region in recent years.
The soldier’s dismissal marks a significant step by GAF in addressing public concern. “The Gambia Armed Forces remains committed to working closely with government institutions, environmental agencies, and the public to ensure the protection of wildlife and natural resources across the country,” said Captain Kemo Kanuteh, Acting Public Relations Officer of GAF.
This is not the first time GAF has had to take disciplinary measures against its members for misconduct. The case of Lance Corporal Jallow underscores what officials describe as a “zero-tolerance policy” for actions that undermine national laws, public trust, and environmental safety.
Meanwhile, police authorities are expected to pursue criminal charges against Jallow under The Gambia’s wildlife protection laws, which carry strict penalties for acts that threaten endangered species.
Conservationists are now calling on the government to use the case as a precedent to strengthen enforcement and awareness campaigns around wildlife crimes.
