DLEAG chief denies assault allegations following death of Senegalese national

Demba Ceesay, Director General of The Gambia Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG), has denied allegations that officers assaulted or tortured Kalidou Diallo, a Senegalese content creator who died following an anti-drug operation in Kerr Serign. Ceesay stated that the raid was conducted based on credible intelligence and that Diallo died after an incident where a suspect reportedly fled and fell. The agency maintains that drugs were recovered during the operation, contradicting social media claims to the contrary. DLEAG is currently cooperating with a police investigation into the death.

In response to the incident, Isatou Keita, President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), has urged journalists to exercise caution and prioritize verification over virality. Keita warned that irresponsible reporting regarding the death of the Senegalese national could escalate tensions between The Gambia and Senegal, noting the deep social, cultural, and familial ties between the two nations. She emphasized that journalism must remain a public trust based on ethics and context rather than a tool for sensationalism.