Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A tense confrontation unfolded on Friday between United Democratic Party (UDP) supporters and police officers at a detention facility in Brikama, as party members led by Brikama Area Council Chairman Yankuba Darboe demanded access to detained lawyer and senior party figure Borry S. Touray.
The situation escalated when supporters insisted on seeing Touray, who had been in custody for more than 24 hours. The police team, led by ASP Momodou J. Jallow, popularly known as MJ, maintained that only Touray’s legal counsel was permitted to visit him at the time.
Despite being repeatedly pressed by Chairman Darboe, ASP Jallow remained calm and firm. “We are not allowing anybody to go and see him right now,” he stated. “Only the counsel that is representing him.”
Darboe challenged the decision, demanding the legal basis for restricting access. “Every detained person has the right to be seen by someone,” he argued. “You cannot deny us access to see him. He is our party executive member, and we have every right to see him.”
ASP Jallow, who oversees the Delta Company of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) and holds a university degree, continued to explain that he was acting under orders. “Sir, with due respect, can you please move back with your people,” he appealed, adding, “That’s the order that I received.”
At several points, Chairman Darboe insisted that officers should arrest all of them if that was the only way to see Touray. “Let them arrest all of us and take us to where Borry Touray is,” he declared.
Throughout the confrontation, eyewitnesses and social media commentators noted the restraint and professionalism displayed by ASP Jallow, contrasting it with the heightened emotions among some supporters. Observers credited his calm demeanor with preventing the situation from escalating into physical altercations or arrests.
“He refused the familiar path of unnecessary force and upheld the ethical codes of policing,” one commenter noted, praising the officer’s “wisdom, courage, and respect.”
The standoff eventually eased after senior lawyer Lamin S. Camara intervened, informing Darboe and the gathered supporters that Borry S. Touray had already been granted bail and was waiting to be escorted home. The clarification helped diffuse tensions and prevented further confrontation.
The incident comes amid increasing political friction in recent days, with opposition supporters raising concerns about police conduct while authorities insist on adherence to procedure during active investigations.
