Family of Omar Badjie Demands Justice and Transparent Investigation into His Death
By Makutu Manneh
The family of the late Omar Badjie, who allegedly died following police beatings, has called for justice and a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Speaking on behalf of the Badjie Kunda family during a condolence visit by government officials, Omar’s uncle, Tumani Badjie, urged authorities to ensure truth and accountability.
“Let us be honest. For us, we want justice for Omar. We will not get him back, but we want truth and accountability for him,” Mr. Badjie stated.
He dismissed suggestions that officers merely pushed Omar, stressing that the family believes police actions directly led to his death. The family expressed concern that authorities may attempt to conceal the truth or present a misleading account of events.
Mr. Badjie emphasized the need for an independent investigation, involving the family’s own doctor and lawyer, to guarantee transparency.
“If the investigation on this matter is hidden, we will not forgive. We don’t want this to happen to any other family or children,” he warned.
He also voiced alarm over what he described as the inexperience and excessive force used by young police officers, saying they often fail to respect elders or properly carry out their duties.
According to him, the youth protests on Saturday were a reflection of the community’s anger and pain over Omar’s death.
“To those in positions of authority, I plead: the young officers are the problem. They don’t recognize elders, and they don’t know how to do the work,” he said.
The family concluded by urging the government to end police brutality and take full responsibility for the actions of its officers.