The Minister of Interior Ebrima Mballow has reacted with surprise to rumours about his sacking.
The rumour which started Monday morning spread like bush fire by the late evening with other versions reporting that Mballow was sacked along with SIS boss Ousman Sowe.
However, when contacted Minister Mballow said he was not aware of his sacking and as far as he knows, he is still the minster of Interior.
“What you are saying is news to me. I am not removed,” he told The Standard yesterday. The Standard also confirmed that SIS DG Ousman Sowe too has not been removed.
Meanwhile as the rumour was flying about his supposed sacking, the Minister was at the national assembly yesterday where he informed the members that government’s main aim is to reduce violent crime and murder through the implementation of community policing techniques and involvement of citizens in crime prevention efforts.
He stated that his ministry is equally concerned over the rate of murder cases in the country. “In response we have increased police patrols and the police shall apply all powers within the law to fight violent crimes”, he said.
According to him, increased monitoring and intelligence gathering would be intensified as well as strengthening joint security patrols at night.
Hon. Ousman Touray, Member of Sabach Sanjal asked the minister whether he is aware that Gambians are losing confidence in the internal security of the country due to the alarming cases of attacks by unknown bandits. In response, Minister Mballow noted that Gambia has emerged from a very difficult past, which is responsible for the nervousness and a times the false sense of insecurity among Gambians, but he didn’t think Gambians are losing confidence in the law enforcement and internal security of the country.
He continued: “I can assure you that we don’t have any out-of-control situations anywhere in the country. Our law enforcement agencies are ready and capable to successfully employ ‘get tough’ enforcement practices if necessary to quickly establish order on any out-of-control situations”.
