By Kexx Sanneh
Tension gripped the Kanifing Municipality on Friday as five members of the breakaway “APRC No To Alliance” faction were arrested and detained at Bundung Police Station for tying party flags on public street poles, an act police claim required official permission.
Eyewitness Babucarr Kujabi told Kexx News that the group was peacefully fastening green-and-white APRC flags when Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Alieu Jallow arrived in police patrol vehicle GPF 15, accompanied by three officers. “He asked for our ring leaders,” Kujabi recounted. “I pointed to Alhagie Sanneh and Edu Mendy. Within minutes, ASP Jallow loaded Alhagie Sanneh, Edu Mendy, Sainey Sanneh, Ismaila Kujubi, and Ebrima Sanneh into the vehicle and drove off.”
According to Alhagie Sanneh’s account relayed through supporters, officers at Bundung station immediately questioned the group about permits. “We told them we didn’t know a permit was needed to tie flags,” Sanneh reportedly said. He explained the action was a spontaneous youth initiative to welcome former President Yahya Jammeh, who recently announced plans to return home after eight years in exile.
By nightfall, dozens of APRC loyalists had gathered outside the station, camping under a nearby shop veranda in a show of solidarity. “We will stay here until our brothers are released,” one supporter declared as numbers swelled into Saturday morning.
Kexx News’ attempts to obtain an official statement from Bundung Police Station were rebuffed, with officers directing inquiries to police headquarters in Banjul.
At 13:35, National Assembly Member Hon. Kebba Gibba of Foni Kansala arrived at the station. After closed-door talks with officers, he emerged to announce a breakthrough. “I have spoken directly with the Deputy Inspector General of Police and the National Security Adviser,” Hon. Gibba told reporters. “The five young men will be granted police bail shortly.”
The arrests have reignited debate over political expression ahead of Jammeh’s anticipated return. Supporters insist tying party flags is a customary welcome gesture, while authorities maintain public property regulations apply uniformly.
The five detainees—Alhagie Sanneh, Edu Mendy, Sainey Sanneh, Ismaila Kujubi, and Ebrima Sanneh—remained in custody at press time pending formal bail processing.
