Sheriff Jarju, US-based Gambian and a victim of convicted thief Modou Lamin Ndow, has expressed outrage and fear following Ndow’s escape from Mile 2 Central Prison on April 23, 2025. Ndow, notorious for raiding Jarju’s Brufut Garden home and stealing valuables worth D1.5 million, fled custody while serving a reduced sentence for housebreaking and stealing, leaving victims and the public reeling.
Jarju, whose stolen AirPod tracker led to Ndow’s arrest in Jarreng village in January 2023, did not hold back in condemning the prison’s management. “It is rather unfortunate that the people who are entrusted to see over the Mile 2 operations are corrupt to the core,” Jarju said. “How can a well-known criminal like Modou Lamin Ndow be allowed to take the trash outside with an old prison officer who can barely run? This tells you that the management of Gambia Prison Services are accomplices in this case.”
Ndow’s escape has sparked widespread concern, with Jarju calling for accountability. “The government of The Gambia needs to investigate this matter with seriousness, and heads should roll,” he urged. “For me, I feel bad for Gambians who will be vulnerable to his criminal activities since he’s no longer behind bars.”
Ndow was convicted in September 2023 by Magistrate Ebrima Sowe at Brikama Magistrate Court. He received a five-year sentence for housebreaking and four years for stealing, with an order to compensate Jarju and his wife, Abisatou Saidy, D1,152,300, or face an additional three years. After an appeal, his sentence was reduced to two years per count to run concurrently. Authorities confirmed Ndow’s escape at approximately 14:00 GMT on Wednesday, as announced by the Prison Service’s Public Relations Officer.
The escape has reignited scrutiny of Mile 2’s security and management, with Jarju and others questioning how a high-profile convict could exploit such lax oversight. The Gambia Prison Service has urged the public to report any information on Ndow’s whereabouts to the nearest police station, warning that he remains a threat.
As the manhunt intensifies, Jarju’s words reflect a broader sentiment of betrayal and vulnerability. “This isn’t just about me,” he said. “It’s about every Gambian who deserves to feel safe.”
