By Makutu Manneh
The Gambia Immigration Department (GID), through its Migration Management Unit, intercepted 173 irregular migration (“backway”) attempters and arrested eight suspected smuggling agents during operations conducted on Thursday, 25 December, and Friday, 26 December 2025.
In a statement, the department disclosed that on Thursday, officers from the Tanji, Sanyang, Gunjur, and Kartong Border Patrol Units apprehended 157 suspected would-be migrants at Kachumeh in the West Coast Region. All those intercepted were male, comprising 88 Gambians, 37 Senegalese, 18 Malians, nine Ivorians, and five nationals of other countries.
According to the GID, a separate operation on Friday, led by a night patrol team from the Gunjur Border Patrol Unit, resulted in the interception of 16 additional would-be migrants in Faraba Bantang, as well as the arrest of five suspected smuggling agents in Mandinary village.
“With a total of 173 would-be migrants intercepted in a span of two days and 8 suspected agents in custody, the GID remains dedicated to disrupting smuggling operations and safeguarding the safety and security of migrants being exploited in this life-threatening journey,” the statement said.
The department also called on communities to remain vigilant and to report any suspected smuggling activities or unusual movements to immigration authorities.