Residents of Niorro Jarrol Village alleged harassment by a group of people from Jarrol Village on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at their village bantaba. This incident follows a land dispute that also came before Magistrate A. Darboe of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court on August 3, 2026. The court case, titled Inspector General of Police v Alagie Jobe and nine others, concerns allegations that the accused persons failed to observe instructions issued by the Chief regarding the disputed land.
Alleged Harassment and Police Report
A group allegedly delegated by residents of Foni Jarrol Village went to Niorro Jarrol without informing the local villagers, according to reports. The alleged harassment occurred at their village ground, specifically at their village bantaba. Residents claim the group took photos of the village, including compounds and fences around farms, and harassed ladies and children during their visit. The group allegedly went to their village to take photographs of compounds and fences around farms, further escalating tensions.
Following these events, Abdoulie Jobe and Malick Sallah subsequently went to Kalagie Police Station to report these alleged actions. Mr. Jobe reported the incident to Station Officer Sanneh at Kalagie Police Station, providing details of the alleged harassment. Station Officer Sanneh then assigned a junior police officer to take Mr. Jobe's statement regarding the reported incident. However, S.O. Sanneh declined to provide Abdoulie Jobe with a reference number for the case, stating that the matter had been transferred to the district chief. This refusal to issue a reference number left the complainants without official documentation of their report.
Escalation to Chief and Court
Abdoulie Jobe and Malick Sallah later visited the chief's compound regarding the dispute, seeking resolution after the police station's directive. During their visit, the chief presented Abdoulie Jobe with photographs depicting groundnut fields, which the chief alleged were cultivated by residents of Niorro Jarrol. Mr. Jobe refuted these claims, stating that no groundnuts were cultivated on the disputed farms, and only orchards had been planted by some residents, directly contradicting the chief's evidence. The chief then informed Mr. Jobe that the matter would proceed to the district tribunal court, citing a call from the magistrate. The underlying land dispute itself has remained unadjudicated by the Chief for more than two years, contributing to the prolonged tension between the villages. An injunction had previously been issued by the Chief, pending a final determination of the main dispute, which has yet to materialize.
Magistrate's Intervention and Adjournment
The broader land dispute had previously come before Magistrate A. Darboe of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court on August 3, 2026. In a session addressing the ongoing conflict, Magistrate A. Darboe advised all parties involved in the land dispute to maintain peace and refrain from accessing the contested land. The magistrate issued a stern warning that there would be consequences for anyone found interfering with or breaching this order, showing the seriousness of the court's directive. Following these instructions, the case before the Brikama Magistrates’ Court was subsequently adjourned. A ruling is expected to be delivered on September 10, 2026, which both parties await for a definitive resolution.