Banjul, 25th May 2026
The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) wishes to confirm media reports regarding three immigration officers who absconded in Italy during a two-week training program on migration management, border security, and document examination at the Italian Police Training Academy in Nettuno, Rome.
The training program was part of a bilateral cooperation framework between the Government of Italy, through its Ministry of Interior, and the GID. It was attended by twenty Gambian officers as part of ongoing efforts to enhance capacity development, expertise, and exposure in border management and document security.
Prior to the completion of the training, three immigration officersโnamely, Assistant Immigration Control Officers Basirou L. Bojang, Lamin Drammeh, and Bambi Jahโ who were nominated among outstanding performers of the Border Patrol Unit training program, absconded from their residence in a manner that indicates a premeditated and planned action.
Regrettably, the actions of these officers do not, by any means, represent the values, interests, or expectations of the Department. Their conduct compromises the integrity of The Gambia, strains diplomatic cooperation between The Gambia and Italy, and risks portraying a negative perception of our officersโ professionalism and loyalty. The leadership of the GID condemns these actions in the strongest possible terms.
Accordingly, the GID has taken swift administrative and disciplinary actions by notifying Italian and European authorities of this breach, while requesting the immediate tracing and removal of these individuals through coordinated channels. All relevant information, including passport bio-data, visas, and photographs, has been shared with the appropriate authorities for immediate action.
The GID assures all partners, stakeholders, and Gambians at large that the Department will continue to pursue all available means to repatriate these officers and enforce stringent disciplinary measures. The GID frowns upon any action that stains the integrity of the nation. We remain firmly committed to maintaining discipline, upholding professional conduct, and strengthening international partnerships and cooperation.
Signed:
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