A former Gambian diplomat has highlighted the growing problem of illegal issuance of Gambian passports to non-nationals after Canadian authorities arrested a Nigerian woman with five fraudulent Gambian passports hidden in sandals at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Dr. Alieu SK Manjang, who served at the Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia in Qatar, spoke out following the arrest of 44-year-old Nnenna Oketa of Caledon, Ontario. Oketa faces charges for knowingly possessing a forged passport after Canada Border Services Agency officers discovered seven fake documents — five from The Gambia and two from South Africa — in a 1,600 kg shipment from Nigeria. All seven passports carried the same male photo but featured different names and inconsistent details.
Drawing on his diplomatic experience, Dr. Manjang revealed that he personally encountered individuals from Syria, Guinea, Nigeria, Egypt, and Senegal holding genuine-looking Gambian passports despite never having visited The Gambia. He reported such cases, including an Egyptian national who obtained a Gambian passport through illicit means, to the relevant authorities.
“It is also not uncommon in this region to be approached by individuals from Egypt, Syria, and Palestine seeking assistance in acquiring Gambian passports through unofficial channels,” he stated.
Dr. Manjang pointed to a troubling pattern of Gambian identity documents being illegally issued to foreigners. He cited the case of a Nigerian national named Essa Sanneh, who posed as a Gambian from Brikama and became the first person identified as Gambian to be imprisoned for drug trafficking. Gambian authorities were informed of these incidents.
He added that Senegalese nationals sometimes present Gambian passports when seeking consular help, complicating diplomatic responsibilities and burdening Gambian missions.
“These examples point to a broader and troubling pattern: Gambian identity documents are being illegally issued to non-nationals. This is not an isolated phenomenon, and even members of the community frequently raise concerns about it,” Dr. Manjang said.
The recent Canadian seizure has renewed calls for stronger safeguards to protect the integrity of Gambian passports and prevent further damage to the country’s international reputation.
