The newly appointed Inspector General of Police has disclosed that suspects of the nefarious acts of illegal abortion, rape and attempted suicides would no longer be granted bail by the Gambia Police Force.

IGP Ensa Badjie said the escalation of these acts remain the country’s biggest problem, as well as illegal immigration, which is mainly undertaken by the youths.

The IGP made these revelations during the official inauguration of the Mandinaba Immigration Post on Sunday.

He stated that rape, especially when it involves a girl below the age of 16, is a serious offence that will no longer be bailable. For illegal abortion, he said the offence carries a sentence of life in jail, adding that the act is today leading to the loss of many lives in the country. He stressed that something must be done to stop it.

IGP Badjie then urged the people of Mandinaba to help the police and the Immigration department in the execution of their duties, noting that they cannot effectively carry out their duties without the assistance of the community.

On illegal migration, the IGP spoke of parents who spend thousands of Dalasis to encourage their sons into undergoing such a risky undertaking. He warned against the fatal consequences involved and urged young people to avoid the adventure, adding that if "you want to travel to Europe, you should try the legal way with legal documents".

For his part, Ousman Sonko, the secretary of state for Interior, said the inauguration of the Immigration post was part of government’s efforts to provide a conducive environment for the country’s security forces. He urged the people of Mandinaba and its environs to work closely with the police and immigration personnel to curb criminal activities.

"The police and the immigration cannot carry out their duties effectively without the collaboration of the communities," SoS Sonko emphasised.