Former Brigadier General Bora Colley, an alleged member of the notorious “Junglers” paramilitary unit under ex-president Yahya Jammeh, has reportedly died while in custody at Yundum Military Barracks, according to military and family sources.
The ex-general, who surrendered to authorities in August 2024 after years in exile, is said to have succumbed to a brief illness.
The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) first announced Colley’s arrest on August 10, 2024, following his voluntary surrender at midnight on August 9.
The former senior officer had fled the country in January 2017 alongside Jammeh’s departure to Equatorial Guinea, evading justice for his alleged role in the Junglers—a group accused of extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances during Jammeh’s 22-year rule. At the time of his arrest, GAF stated that Colley was detained and cooperating with military police investigations.
However, the circumstances of his death remain uncertain. Colonel Lamin K. Sanyang, Director of Press and Public Relations for the Gambia Armed Forces told Alkamba Times he was unaware of Colley’s passing. “I am not aware of this information, so I cannot confirm it. Thank you, Sir,” Sanyang said in a media update late Sunday evening.
Military and family sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, reported that Colley’s health had deteriorated rapidly in recent days, leading to his death. No official cause has been disclosed, and the GAF has yet to release a formal statement confirming or denying the reports.
Colley’s surrender last year marked a significant moment in Gambia’s ongoing pursuit of accountability for crimes committed under Jammeh’s regime. His death in custody, if confirmed, could raise questions about the treatment of high-profile detainees and the progress of transitional justice efforts in the country.
As the public awaits official clarification, Colley’s fate underscores the Junglers’ complex legacy and the challenges facing Gambia in reconciling its past.
