When The Gambia Echo began a year ago, we published numerous stories that so many people missed precisely because the paper was new and not yet found by our readers.With the thousands who navigate our side on a daily basis today, President Jammeh inclusive, we think it is apt to revisit some of our most revealing scoops about the cruelty of the Jammeh government moreso, Edward Singhateh. The man who stops by The Gambia high school to offer rides to poor school children, has klilled more people than Bombarde and Musa Jammeh combined. Singhateh's only impunity is that he is the Co-President (a.k.a. Mabally-untouchable) because everyone knows that Yahya Jammeh worships the ground where Singhateh urinates.Otherwise, he too would have face Jammeh's all to familiar justice.Here again, we bring you the scary details of how Edward single handedly executed Fafa Nyang, the same way he executed Koro Ceesay and Basirou Barrow.This story was provided by our Yundum Barracks correspondent Officer "X" in September, 2006.
"How Did Sgt. Fafa Nyang Die?"
By Ebrima G. Sankareh Editor-in-Chief
As promised before the Presidential election, our Yundum Barracks correspondent Officer ‘X’ (OX) continues on the chilling yet graphic narration of the extra judicial executions meted out by the Jammeh government since coming to power on July 22, 1994. In this exclusive, OX takes issue with Minister Edward David Singhateh (a.k.a. “Mabally”- Mandinka for untouchable) on the gruesome execution of Sergeant Fafa Nyang. According to Ox, Edward David Singhateh is the most powerful Cabinet Minister in the callous regime of President Yahya Jammeh. That he is too powerful and deadly that soldiers nicked named him Mabally- meaning he can do any thing as he pleases and goes to bed rest assured that nothing comes out of it. Says OX; he often brags about his dual heritage- Singhateh is a mixture of Gambian and Scottish stock. Argues Ox, Singhateh is at the center of some of the most sinister crimes and pretty soon, it will all be history. Now on the execution of Nyang as narrated by OX—
"I enjoy killing my enemies, the night I killed Koro it was more pleasurable than orgasm" the patholigal killer told friends.
“It was on the fateful day of November 12, 1994 that then Captain Edward David Singhateh, his military chauffeur Samba Batch Jallow (a.k.a. Legehdeh- Fula for the work) from Farato village and his notorious boys descended on Yundum Barracks. Their mission declared Singhateh “to kill whoever is involved in the foiled coup of November 11, 1994”. On that day, Sgt. Fafa Nyang was the duty Sergeant at the Guardroom. Singhateh, then the Defence Minister of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) junta that toppled the constitutional government of Sir Dawda Jawara barely five month ago, ordered Nyang to come forward so he can show the rest of us an example of how to deal with saboteurs. “You too are involved in this operation, come out and I will teach you an example” the angry Minister said. Fafa responded politely, “Sir I am not involved, Sir I swear to Allah I am not involved”. Singhateh appeared irritated, leaped into the guardroom door, held Fafa by the neck, pulled him out, then pulled out his Chinese made military pistol and pulled the trigger. As the bullets ripped through Fafa’s belly, he groaned, moaned, screamed, cringed excruciatingly and said these words “Sir please for the sake of Allah do not kill me, I am totally innocent, please Sir, believe me I am totally innocent.” At this stage Singhateh appeared more irritated, stepped forward and pulled the trigger again. Fafa Nyang’s belly ruptured like a sliced watermelon and the intestines rolled to the ground. He pleaded one more time for mercy suddenly lost his balance and fell to the ground. Singhateh called his officers to take the body to the pitch nestled between the kitchen and the senior officers mess hall (dining room). While Fafa’s disfigured body was headed to the pitch, you can see it shaking. One of Captain Singhateh’s bodyguards was so shaken at the cold blood murder that he wept profusely. The chauffeur, Samba Batch (a.k.a Legehdeh) was so irritated at the soldier’s nervousness that he pulled his AK- 47 rifle and wanted to shoot him in the head calling him a woman, and a coward who sympathizes with saboteurs. Singhateh told Samba to spare the bodyguard’s life, as he was not an accomplice. The said bodyguard is now in the United States Armed Forces posted to Germany and I hope he reads your paper. I will spare him the embarrassment not to mention his name. However, on the day of reckoning, he too must testify. So Samba and his colleagues dumped Fafa’s body in the pitch and buried him while he was still breathing. This is the same pitch that was used in Jawara’s days as a punishment for soldiers with disciplinary problems. So this is the best story of Fafa Nyang’s death and I hope this will be of use to his family, especially to his wife Awa.