This house you are watching belongs to the fugitive Army, Colonel Ndure Cham. Cham was living in this house with his family, until the March 21St foiled coup, which led to his sudden disappearance from the country. The house, which used to attract visitors, soldiers and loved ones has been reduced to a ghost land. Everyone, including Colonel Cham, have vacated the premises, running for their lives. What used to be called a Colonel’s palace, has been turned to a mechanic garage. Cars could be seen moving in and out of the premises, on a daily basis. Colonel Cham’s absence could be felt in the neighborhood. The place has been completely deserted.
As I walked along the yard, dry trees, piles of waste materials and old cars could be seen visible in the area. It was a useful for voyage, but I must hasten to add that I learnt a lot during my visit to Ndure Cham’s abandoned house. The mechanics I met revealed a lot to me. I have no intention of sharing the information I gathered in the short term for security reasons. All I know is that Ndure Cham is gone, but shall show up in Banjul sooner or later.
These mechanics have taken control of Ndure Cham’s house. While, they would not entertain discussions as to who rented the place to them, what is evident is that the sudden occupation of the mechanic into Ndure Cham’s house, is a subject of discourse in many military barracks.
Colonel Cham is a certified mechanical engineer. He knows everything about cars. One of the mechanics told me that he saw Ndure in Bakau late at night on a Friday. Ndure traveled by boat from Bara to Banjul. He took care of his business and left.
His wife, kids and loved ones left the house for fear of being killed by the Kanilai late night killers. They are currently scattered in the Greater Banjul Area.
The wanted CDS accused once of plotting a coup against President Yaya Jammeh fled the country like a fugitive, when his alleged plotted coup backfired. He who runaway, lives to fight back one day. His residence at Bakau now remains isolated with no body living there. Ndure they said is posed to return in Gambia soon.
As the adage goes: when the lion dies then the skin suffers, people especially mechanics have taken charge of the big back yard, where they have now opened as a fitter garage. The place is often over crowded with old and rustic cars that stand waiting for mechanics. The once buoyant house now stands in need of help as the roof now looks dilapidated.
A soldier assigned to the President’s mother opined that the place would soon be a football field because no one would dare to even go near it. The same unnamed soldier said no one knows what is planned for anyone who would go in there. Not even friends would pass by to see or to look in the house everyone is on the safe side.
The place has changed and become like a house in a cemetery but it is in the middle of a town. Passers by are amazed by such developments in the country, as they think it is time to learn to forgive one another and forgive our offenders' families or friends. "The whole place would remain isolated and no one would live even near it in a few years to come." Said a neighbor.
I visited some security instillations during my tour. I took photographs of security instillations and houses of other coup suspects accused of planning to overthrow the Jammeh Government.
The other day, I was in GAMTEL, where I had a meeting with some staffers. What I discussed with these GAMTEL staffers shall remain a mystery to the NIA and all Jammeh agents trailing me at this hour. I gathered a lot during my visit at GAMTEL.
I also took pictures in Barra including the Ferry. I was also in Kanilai briefly. There are more interesting stories coming up. Stay tuned.