Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Almost two years after surviving a deadly attack that claimed the lives of two of her colleagues, police officer Ansey Jawo has spoken publicly for the first time about the incident, its lingering impact on her health, and the support she has received since.

Officer Jawo was seriously injured on the night of September 12, 2023, when an unidentified gunman opened fire on her and two fellow officers at the Sukuta-Traffic Lights Junction while they were on duty. Both of her male colleagues died at the scene.

Police have since accused Ousainou Bojang of Brufut of carrying out the attack. Bojang is currently on trial at the High Court, where he has denied all charges.

Still grappling with the trauma of that night, Jawo said the experience has changed her life entirely. “I am still suffering from some anxiety and episodes of trauma whenever this incident comes to mind. It would be difficult for me to totally get over it. Yes, I am coping, but the only problem is the pains I feel in my body,” she shared.

Although she refrained from recounting the specific details of the shooting due to the emotional toll, Jawo opened up about her recovery journey, revealing she has not fully healed. “Whenever I start experiencing these pains, I would call one Solo Gibba at the police medical department, and he would arrange a vehicle to come and pick me up from home to see a Cuban doctor,” she said.

“Even last week, I had a checkup because I was experiencing some pains in my chest, ribs, and other parts of my body, often characterized by difficulty in breathing.”

She said the police provide transport to medical appointments, but she covers the cost of her medications out of pocket.

After her discharge from the hospital, Jawo received five bags of rice, two gallons of cooking oil, and about D5,000 from a visiting police delegation. She also received a D15,000 compensation from the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation.

On whether she benefitted from the D100,000 donation President Adama Barrow made during a personal visit following the shooting, Jawo explained that her father, Pateh Jawo—also a police officer—handled the funds and used them to pay her medical expenses.

She acknowledged a separate donation made by a senior police officer but said she did not know the amount.

Jawo said she has resumed duty, now serving in a different unit, and has received a promotion. However, she admitted she does not consider herself fully recovered. She clarified that there was no official medical recommendation for overseas treatment.

Her father, Pateh Jawo, expressed appreciation for the police leadership and the government, stating they had been “very helpful” to his daughter throughout her recovery.

The shooting remains one of the most shocking attacks on law enforcement officers in recent Gambian history.