09/27/2025
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR.
Dated: 27 September 2025
PRESS RELEASE
The Ministry of Interior confirms reports of an incident on 27 September 2025 at Mandinaring Village, Kombo North District, West Coast Region involving a Police Patrol Team and some youth who were found to be smoking cannabis. During the encounter, the youth tried to flee the area resulting in a police chase.
One of the youths later identified as Omar Badjie fell on the ground, picked up and was rushed to the Banjulinding Health Center and subsequently referred to Kanifing General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The news of his death spread rapidly fuelling anger prompting chaotic scenes in the area and resulting to the vandalization of the police post and attack on police personnel causing bodily injury to some of the personnel to the point of hospitalising them.
Reinforcement was deployed to the area to restore calm and order. The local authorities were also engaged by the police to pacify the situation.
The Government regrets this unfortunate loss of life and commiserate with the family of the deceased. The community of Mandinaring is strongly assured that a Corona inquest will be immediately instituted to ascertain the circumstances and cause of death of Omar Badjie.
The outcome of the inquest and investigations will be communicated to the public accordingly.
The Government reaffirms its commitment to the rule of law and guarantee the safety and security for the citizens and residence of the country.
Meanwhile, the public is hereby reminded that peace, security and stability of this country is the collective responsibility of all citizens and to this end all citizens and residents alike are encouraged to remain law abiding and maintain the peace at all times.
