(JollofNews) – Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh has arrived in Banjul early Wednesday morning, after security forces thwarted an attempted coup against his regime.
Mr Jammeh, 49, was said to have landed at Banjul International Airport a few minutes after midnight after a two-hour stopover in Chad to refuel his aircraft.
He was escorted to Banjul by a contingent of heavily armed soldiers and is expected to issue a televised statement to the nation this evening.
The Gambian leader was out of the country when some armed men led by former State House Commander, Lt Colonel Lamin Sanneh, invaded the country on Tuesday morning from neighbouring Senegal and attacked the presidential palace in Banjul and the military post at the Denton Bridge, which links Banjul to the southern part of the country.
The gun fight started at around 1am local time and lasted until the early hours of the morning.
Lt Colonel Sanneh was reported to have been killed together with three of his men. Four other armed men were reported to have been captured while one of the attackers was reported to have sustained serious injuries.
The captured men are said to be held at an undisclosed military post and are currently helping the authorities with their investigations.
Total control
“I can confirmed that His Excellency the president is back safely at State House and is performing his prayers,” a senior government official who requested anonymity told JollofNews.
Our source added that Mr Jammeh had never doubted the loyalty of his soldiers and was in regular contact with senior military figures and members of the Gambia’s Security Council while he was abroad.
“His Excellency the president has the backing of the army 100 per cent and he was in total control of the situation,” the source said.
“The identity of the attackers and their backers will be revealed to you guys soon.”