By Makutu Manneh
The Gambian Navy on Friday intercepted 51 people suspected of attempting to migrate irregularly by sea, the country’s armed forces said, underscoring continued efforts to curb unauthorized departures along the West African coast.
The interception occurred late Friday within Gambian territorial waters near the coastal town of Pirang, according to a statement issued by the Gambia Armed Forces.
The group included 35 men and 16 women, among them one minor. Preliminary screening indicated that 42 of those aboard were Gambian nationals and nine were from neighboring Senegal, the statement said.
Naval personnel secured the passengers and transferred them to the appropriate national authorities for further screening and processing in accordance with established migration procedures, the armed forces said.
The operation reflects what officials described as heightened vigilance in monitoring the country’s maritime domain amid broader national and regional efforts to address irregular migration and related cross-border crime.
In its statement, the military warned of the dangers associated with sea crossings, noting that migrants often travel in overcrowded vessels and are vulnerable to exploitation by smugglers and traffickers.
It urged the public, particularly young people, to avoid such journeys and instead pursue safer, legal pathways for travel.
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