In a significant escalation of efforts to combat human trafficking and dangerous sea journeys to Europe, Gambian security forces have intercepted 782 individuals attempting irregular migration by boat, while arresting four suspected organisers in targeted operations.
The Ministry of Interior announced that intelligence-led raids by the Gambia Immigration Department and Police Force focused on known hotspot areas, disrupting networks exploiting vulnerable people from across West Africa. The intercepted group reflects the regional scope of the crisis, with nationals from: Senegal: 233; The Gambia: 197; Guinea: 176; Mali: 148; Ivory Coast: 16; Nigeria: 6; Mauritania: 2; and one national each from Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Ghana.
Officials commended the public for supplying vital intelligence that enabled these interceptions, hailing it as evidence of “collective responsibility and positive national spirit” in confronting smuggling networks.
The announcement follows heightened concerns over The Gambia’s role as a transit and departure point for the perilous Atlantic route to Spain’s Canary Islands—one of the world’s deadliest migration paths.
The ministry also provided an update on rescue operations after a migrant boat carrying over 200 people capsized on January 1 in the North Bank Region. Efforts continue to locate all passengers and provide support to grieving families amid the ongoing tragedy.
In a strong rebuke, authorities condemned the widespread sharing of images depicting victims’ bodies without family permission, labelling it “insensitive and inhuman.” The ministry issued a stern warning to media outlets and citizens alike, urging an immediate halt to such practices to respect the dignity of the deceased and their loved ones.
As irregular migration pressures mount in West Africa, the government reiterated its dedication to safeguarding lives and national security, calling on communities to stay alert and report suspicious activities promptly.
