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Gambia News: Councillor Jatta Missing for Over a Year

Ousman "Rambo" Jatta, councillor for old Bakau and Cape Point Ward, who was arrested on the 23 September 2006, has been missing for 373 days. He is presumed to be in detention at an unknown location.

Family members lamented that they have made frantic and relentless efforts to locate his whereabouts, but their efforts did not bear fruit. They threw light on the economic impact councillor of Jatta's disappearance has on their family, especially their school going children. They said his sons always asked members of their family about the whereabouts of their father. They said the disappearance of Rambo has affected the education of his sons. His elder sister and mother were in tears as they struggled to explain the impact the disappearance of "Rambo" has on the family. They also disclosed that Rambo has been sponsoring about 240 needy and orphan students in Bakau and Brufut. They pointed out that those needy students are no longer benefiting from his benevolent gesture. They lamented that his detention has also impacted negatively on the tourism industry because he had in the past facilitated the arrival of many Scandinavian tourists to the Gambia.

Rambo, who is 38 years, was first arrested at his office at Cape Point on Saturday 23 September 2006. He was detained at Bakau Police Station before being moved to an unknown location. His family members have not set their eyes on him since then. Reports have it that he has been moved from one police station to another. His lawyer, Mr. Ousainou Darboe, has, on several occasions, tried to secure his freedom through the high court, but to no avail.