The Anti-Crime Unit (ACU) of the Gambia Police Force on Friday, 17th April, allegedly fired teargas into night clubs along the Duplex Road, in an attempt to enforce government rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
According to a source, who was at the scene, the officers stormed the Gravity Lounge and Ice shortly after midnight and ordered the club owners to close down.
"Gravity Lounge refused to open its doors, so the officers decided to fire teargas through throw the windows," said our source.
In an interview with What's On-Gambia, Police PRO Lamin Njie denied the use of teargas to disperse the revelers at Gravity Lounge, which is owned by one Omar Dibba.
"The Police got intel that the two clubs were discreetly opening and going about night entertainment. A visit was made there on Friday night for confirmation," he said.
Njie continued: "The club owners were strictly warned to adhere to the state of emergency regulations. There was no incidence of teargas throwing, and no arrest was made, but the police strictly warned them against opening for entertainment."
When asked whether both clubs were crowded with revelers, he responded: "I understood the officers were there before they opened. The ACU as a unit doesn't use tear gas.
The Gambian government issued orders last month to close all entertainment venues including night clubs where crowds of people gather.