Folks,

About 1:00 AM Friday June 23, Lt. Lalo Jaiteh was picked up from his house in Bakau. This came only hours after his removal as Aide de Campe (ADC) to President Yayah Jammeh was reported by the Daily Observer. In the same Daily Observer report the Army Chief of Staff Baboucarr Jatta was quoted saying,

 " Lalo Jaiteh has not been sacked. He is transferred to another place. We need him for another thing. ......."

 As I write this note, no one in Lalo's family, distant or immediate can tell you why Lalo was arrested or where he is detained. 

Since his abduction several newspapers reported that Lalo was arrested because he was involved in some coupe plot or spying for the American government. What I find interesting however is the government's continued silence on the matter even though the Army Chief of Staff was quick to note hours before his arrest that "He is transferred to another place. We need him for another thing." 

Well let me say that despite the silence from the government's side and the conflicting reports on what happened or did not happen, we in the family are very clear about a number of things:

  1.. Lalo put his life on the line for the past two years covering Yayah's back with little compensation with little financial or political gain. I am sure that those familiar with the job of ADC, will understand the risks involved. 
  2.. On the day of his removal as ADC Lalo was a very dedicated young soldier determined to do his job to the best of his ability. He was quoted saying that the change was routine re-deployment and was looking forward to serve in his new assignment. 
  3.. The family of Lt. Lalo Jaiteh is very concerned and worried about his wellbeing and safety and we hold President Yayah Jammeh and Col. Baboucar Jatta fully responsible. They can ignore the issue, concoct stories or do whatever they like. The facts remain the same.
Malanding Jaiteh

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