The Union of Sierra Leoneans in The Gambia (SlENU) has raised concerns over the alleged murder of a British National by Augustine Bangura, a Sierra Leonean living in the Gambia.

In a statement, the union expressed its shock and utter disbelief at the gruesome murder and disassociated itself from it.

The Union also stated that they wished to maintain the stable and enduring relationship between the Gambia and Sierra Leone which had spanned from the colonial period.

“The stable and peaceful co-existence has encouraged nationals of the two countries to continue to reside in the two countries amicably culminating in intermarriage, business, education, and other ties benefiting both countries.

“As thousands of Sierra Leoneans continue to reside in this country peacefully, with most serving as teachers, contractors, medical personnel, etc, the Union wishes that the strong relationship continues.”

The Union however expressed their distraction on the proliferation of contraband drugs like “kush”, tramadol, etc in the sub-region lately has become a cause for worry.

When vulnerable youths become easy prey to these harmful substances thus, causing serious damage to their health, embarrassing their families, and negatively affecting society as a whole, the Union frowns at such menace and hopes to keep fighting against every distributor of harmful drugs.

“With the rampant use of drugs-related crimes in The Gambia in recent times, a country we call our second home, the future of our youths and the long-standing peace for which The Gambia is known are at stake. As a Union, we are deeply concerned and are available to render any incidental help in collaboration with The Gambia authorities in identifying those areas where Sierra Leonean youths are found in large numbers and by so doing, continue to sensitize them against the use and spread of drugs and other crime-related activities,” they highlighted.

At the end of their statement, the Union warned that drug addiction and its domino effects on youths and society as a whole are terrible. Therefore, they must not by any means be allowed to gain a foothold in peaceful Gambia.

It would be recalled how Chinedu, a Briton who had been living in The Gambia since 2017, was mysteriously found dead in a toilet drain of an uncompleted building in Madina Alagie a village near Mamuda in Kombo South.

According to the police, the suspect, aged between 20 and 30 years, was arrested on Saturday, February 17, 2024.  The suspect has confessed to killing the woman and material evidence such as a pistol, hammer, spade, money, and keys among others, have been recovered from the suspect.

The suspect admitted to using the hammer to strike Chinedu in the back of the neck and then burying her in a toilet drain.

Following the murder, the suspect stole various items from Chinedu, including money, laptops, a handbag, and keys. The police emphasized that the suspect’s arrest was aided by the recovery of these stolen items.