PHOTO: Neneh Babou (Photo credit TRRC Media team).

Witness Conjugates Babys Demise Consumption Of Hallucinogenic Concoction

By Ousman A. Marong

Neneh Babou, a resident of Barra in North Bank Region (NBR) has Thursday, 5th December 2019 told the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparation Commission (TRRC) that she lost her 8 – month baby as a result of the concoction she was been given by the former President Yahya Jammeh's sponsored witch-hunters sometime in 2009.

According to her, she was just 8 months pregnant before her abduction by former President Yahya Jammeh's witch-hunters.

Neneh 36 said two of the witch-hunters known as the witch-doctors were under the escort of soldiers. 

she informed the Commission that the witch-hunters appeared before her informing her that they were going to cure her simply because her pregnancy was affected.

She further informed the Commission that a witch-hunter pointed his mirror on her stomach and told her that her 8-month pregnancy has a problem.

“They told me that my pregnancy had a problem together with the child I conceived. They said they were going to cure me. I told them that I was ok but they insist I must follow them. They whisked me away with my in-law,” she explained.

She made the revelation in Essau, testifying before the Commission on the ongoing regional hearing.

The Essau born said when she arrived at the bus all those captured were referred to as witches and wizards by those standing while watching.

She said she was asked to board the bus and wait for the marabout to give her the medicine.

“When the marabout came I asked him about the medicine, he said I have to go with them and I will be given the medicine. I refused and they forced me,” she remarked.

She said the soldiers were armed mixed with former president Yahya Jammeh’s “Green Boys”.

She stated that they were taken to a place in the Kombos were they arrived around sunset.

She retorted that before her turn, she observed that all those who drank the concoction were falling down while others unconscious mood.

She further informed the Commission that she drank a cup filled with a concoction thrice in which she later vomited.

She recalled seeing her in-law after drinking the concoction.

“I was released the following day together with my in-law. My in-law began to suffer from pain and we were moving from one hospital to another. She is currently mad,” said the witness.

She stressed that they were not given any food upon their abduction until she left.

She said her stomach continued to give her a problem where she frequently visits the hospital and later give birth.

“When I deliver at the Essau health center for the first three days my baby was not suckling. I was referred to Royal Victorial Teaching Hospital (RVTH) now Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH). I have spent another three days there and still, my baby was not suckling my breast,” she said.

She said after spending days at EFSTH upon her return to Essau the baby began to develop sickness.

“She was in a moveable condition. Her hands and legs were immobile. She died while she was eight months,” said tearful mother.

She said after the witch-hunting exercise, she gave birth to quadruple, but three died.

“I have two miscarriages. My in-law is still alive, but still suffering from the hallucination pain. Some of the people I was arrested together with died as a result of the concoction,” he concluded.