Point Editor Fled-As

By Pa Nderry M’Bai and MB Ceesay, Banjul.

Following an attempt on his life, the erstwhile Point Newspaper Editor Momodou Justice Darboe has fled The Gambia, the Freedom Newspaper can authoritatively report. Mr. Darboe who narrowly escapes death last week, was a victim of a state sponsored failed assassination attempt. A personnel of The Gambia Armed Forces, held Darboe by the  neck and attempted to slaughter him in cold blood. Darboe has since left the country. The former Point Editor, has migrated to an undisclosed country for security reasons, said unimpeachable sources.

Both Editor Darboe and Alhagie Mbye were threatened with death prior to the incident. They were warned to refrain from associating themselves with the Freedom Newspaper. They were accused  by a female staffer of the Point Newspaper Isatou Badjan, who threatened to notify the relevant authorities about their activities against the state by supplying Point Newspaper stories to the Freedom Newspaper.

According to authoritative sources, Mr. Darboe narrowly escapes arrest Friday, as a team of NIA officials, went  to his residence asking for him. Mr. Darboe was wanted in connection with the failed assassination attempt on his life, but Darboe had already left the country at the material time, revealed our sources.

Momodou Justice Darboe sustained various degrees of injuries during the said incident. Thanks to some neighbors, Darboe’s life was saved. The armed soldier ran helter-skelter as soon as neighbors showed up at the scene of the crime.

The police received an official complaint from Darboe, but never bothered to take a written statement from the erstwhile editor. Darboe left the Wellingara police station, with shock and anxiety. The police, which is expected to guarantee Darboe’s personal safety and security , had demonstrated little or no interest in the said failed assassination case. None of the witnesses were interviewed by the police, nor have they visited the scene of the crime.

Concerned by his personal safety, Justice Darboe, hurriedly left The Gambia on Friday, said sources.  In order to avoid being arrested, Darboe kept his planned departure from the country secret. He refrained from discussing the matter with his family, employers and friends. Darboe left the country unnoticed. He has safely left the country.

The Gambia is a police state. There are undercover security agents all over the country. Some of these undercover agents, could be found in Newspaper houses and elsewhere across the country. They monitor perceived Government opponents and journalists.

Mr. Darboe left The Gambia for different reasons. One, his life was increasingly under threat. Two, he was accused of being a Freedom Newspaper reporter, a Newspaper perceived by The Gambian Government as “ enemy of the state.” Thirdly, Mr. Darboe was warned to quit the journalism profession or risked being killed.

His own boss Deyda Hydara was murdered in December of 2004. Darboe has good reasons to fear present and past persecution, in view of the prevailing circumstances.

                   Justice Darboe speaks!!

Shortly after he left the country, the Freedom Newspaper was able to establish contact with the erstwhile Point Editor Momodou Justice Darboe. “Hi Bro,Thanks be to the almighty Allah who made it possible for me to escape from The Gambia without further harm. Allah is the ruler of all kingdoms and its He who can give and take life.We all have to thank Allah for His Divine intervention in saving my life.. But the struggle continues. I am very tired from a very, very tiring and long journey and would therefore like to stop here in the meantime.”

Darboe arrived at an  undisclosed country untouched, even though the NIA were dispatched to arrest him. Mr. Darboe says he was bound to be killed if he had not left the jurisdiction of The Gambia. He says he thanked God for saving his life.