Gambiaj.com – (BASSE) – Eight personnel from the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) have been arrested for allegedly impersonating members of a special task force and extorting money from shopkeepers. The arrests were made following complaints from affected businessmen in various communities.

The PIU personnel, who were supposed to be part of the police paramilitary unit, allegedly deceived shopkeepers by pretending to be part of a task force against the use of plastic bags and the sale of cigarettes. They reportedly used motorcycles to collect money from shops, claiming it was payment for violations of laws banning the commercial use of bags and regulating tobacco use.

The culprits reportedly collected amounts ranging from One Thousand Dalasi (D1,000) to Five Thousand Dalasi (D5,000) from each victim, depending on the agreement reached during a negotiation process.

The illegal activities was first reported by Foroyaa Newspaper and later came to light when the impersonators collected One Thousand Five Hundred Dalasi (D1,500) from a shopkeeper in Sutukoba, Wulli East District. Subsequent investigations and interviews with other shopkeepers revealed similar incidents in other communities.

The arrested officers allegedly collected Eight Thousand Dalasi (D8,000) from two shops in ChangallyLankaddy Village, Seven Thousand Dalasi (D7,000) from ChangallyChewdo Village, Five Thousand Dalasi (D5,000) from Dasilameh Village, Two Thousand Dalasi (D2,000) from a shop in Jakaba Village, and One Thousand Dalasi (D1,000) from a shop in Misira Village, all located in Sandu District.

Assistant Superintendent Modou Musa Sisawo, the Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Police Force, confirmed the arrests, stating that the officers are currently assisting with investigations at the police headquarters in Banjul.