President’s Advisers Assess Anti-Crime Unit Operations
By Haddy Jarju
Special advisers to President Adama Barrow have conducted visits to anti-crime units in the Kanifing Municipal and West Coast regions to evaluate their operations and challenges firsthand. The assessment tours on Thursday aimed to strengthen the government’s efforts to reform and support the security sector’s effectiveness in tackling crime.
At facilities in Banjulinding, Brufut and Kotu, the advisers observed the units’ work and identified obstacles like inadequate infrastructure and equipment hindering their performance.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Momodou Sowe, who heads the anti-crime units, welcomed the presidential team’s focus on addressing the units’ needs.
“Vehicles are one of our main challenges as we have fewer resources to do our work effectively,” Sowe told journalists. “Their visit is very fruitful because they took the time to listen to our concerns and see our facilities.”
President’s adviser Mambanjick Njie said the visits aimed to inspire the often-criticized units while understanding their operational hurdles.
“Our visit is significant for many reasons, as we came to inspire, as a lot of people have been vilifying them, and also to know their challenges in order to provide support,” Njie stated.
He highlighted the need for government and partner support to construct a dedicated headquarters for the anti-crime units.
Adviser Njie also urged landlords to exercise diligence in vetting tenants, suggesting it could help reduce criminal activities nationwide.
Fellow adviser Henry Gomez echoed similar sentiments on supporting and resourcing the units more effectively.
The president’s youth adviser, Lamin K. Saidy, called on the public to cooperate with security forces by reporting suspicious activities, stressing collective responsibility for national safety and security.
The advisers pledged to raise the identified challenges with President Barrow to seek prompt remedies and support the government’s ongoing security sector reforms promoting accountability and efficiency within law enforcement agencies like the anti-crime squads.