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By Assan Sallah
ASP Alieu Sonko of the Gambia Police Force has been laid to rest at the Old Jeshwang Cemetery this evening after 5pm local time, police sources confirmed. He died on Monday at his residence along Kairaba Avenue in the Kanifing Municipality, following a long illness he has been battling with.
Until his untimely death, the late Sonko was Officer Commanding of the Police Sports Department.
ASP Sonko was a Gendarmerie officer and he joined the Gambia Police Force during the amalgamation in 1992. He was attached to the Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) and later moved to the Child Welfare Unit. Sonko was again redeployed to the Police Sports Department.
Chief Inspector Phillip Jarjue, a former training instructor at the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) also died yesterday (Sunday) at his residence at CDC in Kombo Kerewan. Jarjue was last posted to Bakau Police Station as Assistant Station Officer. He will be accorded a Christian burial in the coming days.
Contacted to shed light on this sad news, Superintendent Lamin Njie, spokesperson of the Gambia Police Force said the late officers have been battling with sickness for quite a while.
Asked if the deceased persons had undergone Coronavirus observation or COVID-19 test during the period within which they were sick?, the police PRO replied: “Am not sure..but what is clear is that they have been battling with sickness for quite a while.”
Further asked for how long were the officers sick? The police spokesperson said: “I can’t tell how long exactly. ASP Sonko if Officer Commanding Police Sports Department. He is not actively involved in our operations against COVID-19. In fact, those operations started when he was already sick. Phillip Jarjue too is not in any way actively involved due to his sickness.”
Photo credit: Pierre T. Mendy