The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the Gambia Police Force to conduct an immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation into the death of Omar Badjie, whose passing on Friday, September 26, 2025, triggered violent clashes between youths and police in Mandinari, West Coast Region.
According to a police report, Badjie “fell during hot pursuit and was taken to the hospital and confirmed dead.” However, several youths interviewed by local media alleged that he died after being beaten by officers during his arrest.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, the NHRC expressed deep concern over the conflicting accounts and extended condolences to Badjie’s family, stressing that they have a right to timely and accurate information about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Citing Section 18 of the 1997 Constitution, which guarantees the sanctity of life, the Commission called for a dedicated taskforce to thoroughly investigate the case under independent oversight to ensure transparency and accountability. Witnesses willing to assist must also be protected from intimidation or harassment, it added.
“The Gambia, as a State Party to international human rights treaties, is bound by the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials,” the statement read. “Force must only be used when strictly necessary, proportionate, and subject to accountability.” It also referenced the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2023, which prohibits all forms of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.
The NHRC highlighted recurring incidents of arbitrary police conduct during public gatherings, particularly the indiscriminate use of teargas by the Police Intervention Unit, which it said often escalates tensions rather than defuses them. It reminded the Gambia Police Force that arbitrary arrests and excessive force violate both national law and international obligations.
While acknowledging the police duty to maintain law and order, the Commission stressed that this responsibility must adhere to the Constitution, due process, and the rule of law. It called for accelerated security sector reforms, including human rights training, crowd control, and non-lethal policing methods.
Reaffirming its mandate under the NHRC Act 2017, the Commission said it remains committed to balancing human rights protections with public safety. It also appealed to youths and the wider public to remain calm, emphasizing that all individuals suspected of breaking the law are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
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