Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has refuted allegations that one of its officers assaulted 17-year-old Alice Nyame, a resident of Ghana Town, during a patrol operation in Brufut Town on May 28, 2025.

In a press release issued on June 4, 2025, the GID stated that an investigation led by Commissioner Hamadi Jammeh of the West Coast Region found no evidence to support the allegations published by the Voice Newspaper on May 30, 2025.

The incident occurred during “Operation Fortress Borders and Stay Safe,” a routine patrol aimed at verifying the immigration status of individuals in the area.

According to the GID, the officers encountered Nyame and a group of men whose presence raised suspicion. When approached, the group fled, leaving Nyame behind. Officers then requested her identification, which she claimed was at home. They escorted her to her residence, but she later said her school ID was at her educational institution.

The situation escalated when Nyame allegedly refused to comply with instructions to accompany the officers to their supervisor. In the ensuing struggle, she sustained minor injuries while resisting and flailing her hands. A senior officer intervened and ordered the officers to withdraw to de-escalate the situation.

The GID noted that media reports from the Ghana Town Community Development Association Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Dadson, lacked firsthand knowledge of the incident.

In contrast, Nyame’s parents, the Village Development Committee leadership, and two independent witnesses confirmed no assault took place and described social media reports as inaccurate and misleading.

The GID also highlighted that broader grievances within Ghana Town may have fueled the allegations. It referenced a 2024 assessment by the Gambia Commission for Refugees and UNHCR, which called for urgent policy reforms to prevent statelessness among residents.

Reaffirming its commitment to upholding the law and human rights, the GID urged media outlets to remain objective and avoid undermining the department’s integrity.