By Seedy Jobe
The Gambia Immigration Department said on Tuesday that it had arrested a man suspected of involvement in migrant smuggling, as authorities expand an investigation into a boat that left the country last year carrying hundreds of migrants who remain unaccounted for.
The suspect, Karamo Njie, was detained on Monday in Ginak Kajata by the department’s Regional Border Patrol Unit in the North Bank Region, according to a statement from the agency. Officials described Mr. Njie as an associate of Ebrima Dampha, whom they have identified as a central figure in organizing an irregular migration voyage that departed from Ginak on Nov. 17, 2025.
“Karamo Njie is alleged to be an associate of Ebrima Dampha, a suspected agent involved in organizing an irregular migration boat that departed Ginak on 17th November 2025, carrying hundreds of migrants, currently unaccounted for,” the GID statement reads.
That journey, the authorities said, carried hundreds of migrants and has since become the focus of an intensive inquiry amid fears about the fate of those on board.
Mr. Dampha was arrested earlier this month, on Jan. 1, in Kerr Wally, Lower Niumi, following what the immigration department called a “thorough intelligence-gathering and open-source investigation.” During questioning, officials said, Mr. Dampha repeatedly named Mr. Njie as a collaborator in the operation.
After comparing statements from the two men, investigators concluded that there was “close collaboration” between them, the department said. Mr. Njie was subsequently invited for questioning, cautioned, and detained. He is expected to be transferred to the Migration Management Center in Tanji for further investigation.
“This apprehension follows a thorough intelligence-gathering and open-source investigation that resulted in the apprehension of the main suspected agent, Mr. Ebrima Dampha, on Thursday, 1st January 2026, in Kerr Wally, Lower Nuimi. “Mr. Ebrima Dampha repeatedly identified Mr. Karamo Njie of Ginak Kajatta as his associate in the operation. Upon comparing the statements, a close collaboration between the two individuals was established. Ultimately, Mr. Karamo Njie was invited for questioning, cautioned, and detained, and is scheduled for transfer to Tanji for further investigation,” the statement added.
The immigration department said the arrests are part of a broader crackdown on migrant smuggling networks operating along the country’s coastline. As of Tuesday, officials said, seven suspected migrant smugglers were being held at the Tanji facility, pending further investigations and possible legal action.
“The GID, as of this report, has about seven suspected migrant smugglers in custody at the Migration Management Center in Tanji, awaiting further investigation and necessary legal action.”
Authorities did not provide additional details about the missing migrants or the status of the boat, but said investigations were continuing.
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