Sanna Manjang during a handover to Gambian authorities. Photo Credit: What’s On Gambia
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The most feared, notorious jungler, Sanna Manjang, popular under the 22-year leadership of Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh, was arrested in Casamance, Southern Senegal, on November 29, 2025. He was arrested alongside four others after fleeing the country nine years ago, after Jammeh lost the election to opposition-backed candidate Adama Barrow in December 2016.
Manjang, a member of the deadly hit squad Junglers under Jammeh’s regime, was at the centre of every operation that led to the killing, disappearance, and torture of both political opponents, civil society activists, journalists, and security forces, among others.
His name terrified everyone who was against ex-President Jammeh’s leadership style.
The news of his arrest has sparked widespread commendation among victims, right advocates, journalists, and politicians, among others.
During the testimony at the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC), Manjang’s name remained at the top as head of the deadly operative.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services confirmed the arrest of Manjang on November 30 through a press release published on its official Facebook account.
“The arrest is the result of a coordinated security operation between the authorities of the Republic of Senegal and The Gambia,” said the statement, which suggested that the two neighbours had been working closely to hunt down and eventually capture Mr Manjang.
Public reactions
Since the news of his arrest broke on November 29, 2025, it has become the subject of discussion among the public on social media, in newspapers, on the radio, and at local gatherings.
After his arrest, images emerged on social media showing how the once-feared soldier was rendered helpless, surrounded by soldiers in Cassamance, southern Senegal.
In a recent publication by The Standard Newspaper, Reed Brody, a Global human rights campaigner and lawyer, declared the arrest of Sana as a pivotal breakthrough that could unlock critical revelations about the operations of Yahya Jammeh’s notorious death squad.
Brody, known as “The Dictator Hunter” for his pursuit of global tyrants, hailed the arrest as “a significant step toward accountability.”
He called for the immediate prosecution of Sana and urged the government to push for Jammeh’s prosecution.
Modou Lamin Bah, the National Assembly Member for Banjul North, said the arrest of the former member of the Jungler represents a significant step towards justice and accountability for the victims of Jammeh’s era.
“I urged the government to do the needful and make sure justice is served as soon as possible,” he told DUBAWA.
Speaking to DUBAWA, Sanna Camara, a prominent Gambian journalist and victim under Jammeh, said Manjang’s arrest is long overdue.
“Sanna Manjang needs to face accountability for the crimes he has been implicated in.
As a former reporter of The Independent newspaper, which witnessed multiple arsons and death threats, Sanna was a source of trauma for the young breed of reporters seeking to do their job in the civic space,” he stated.
The notorious jungler is alleged to have been the one to pull the trigger in the murder of Deyda Hydara in 2004— a single act that rang the death knell on independent journalism under Jammeh.
The alleged serial killer is linked to the mass West African migrant massacre on the coast of Brufut that left people in shock, as revealed at the TRRC.
“There’s an inexhaustible list of crimes associated with him – from killings, disappearances, and torture of perceived opponents of Jammeh,” the journalist explained.
He added, “Sanna’s trial must begin right away at our local courts, not to wait any longer on some special hybrid court, which we all know, has dragged on enough.”
Madi Jobarteh, a human rights activist and victim who was exiled during Jammeh’s regime, stated that Sanna must be prosecuted immediately.
“Manjang must be prosecuted now. There is a lot of evidence to prove no criminal charges against him,” Jobarteh stated.
On December 2nd, Manjang was handed over to the Gambian authorities a few days after his arrest in Casamance, Southern Senegal.
In a viral video footage, Manjang was seen dressed in a light-blue African attire (Haftan) with both hands cuffed and surrounded by soldiers before he bumped into a white Toyota Land Cruiser.
Sainey M.K. Marena, a former state broadcaster, also reacted to the arrest, describing it as a moment of relief for survivors like himself.
“Today, my heart beats with a mixture of relief, vindication, and lingering pain as I learn of the arrest of Sanna Manjang, the former commander of Yahya Jammeh’s death squad known as the ‘Junglers.’”
For two decades, this man embodied the face of terror that haunted thousands of Gambian families.
His hands are stained with the blood of innocent citizens: the 2004 murder of journalist Deyda Hydara, the massacre of over 50 West African migrants in 2005, the torture and execution of nine Mile 2 death-row inmates in 2012, and countless enforced disappearances that tore families apart forever,” Mr Marena stated.
As a survivor of Jammeh’s 22-year dictatorship and founder of The Alkamba Times, Mr Marena stressed that he has documented these atrocities while living in exile, fearing for his own life.
“Manjang was never just a soldier; he was the loyal attack dog who carried out Jammeh’s most barbaric orders with chilling enthusiasm,” he added.
Like many other survivors, Manjang’s arrest in Senegal and extradition to Gambia is a powerful reminder that impunity has an expiry date.
He commented on the Gambian government, the TRRC, and international partners for refusing to let these crimes fade into silence.
To the victims’ families, Marena stated, “Your tears have not been in vain. Justice is slow, but today it has taken a giant step forward. No more hiding. No more denials. Sanna Manjang must face a court, tell the whole truth, and answer for every life he took. The souls of the departed demand nothing less.”
Manjang in court
On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, our reporter attended the accused, Sanna Manjang’s, first court appearance first court appearance of the accused, Sanna Manjang, at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.
Manjang arrived at the court with a heavy military police escort, his face covered while covering his face.
He is charged with three counts of murder contrary to section 187 of the Criminal Code of The Gambia.
Prosecutors accused Manjang of the murder of journalist Deyda Hydara, Ndongo Mboob, and Haruna Jammeh between 2005 and 2006.
Manjang, who was not represented, didn’t enter into any plea. However, prosecutors sought his remandapplied for him to be remanded at the Mile II State Central Prison, which Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye granted.
