The Gambia Police Force has arrested a 35-year-old Nigerian, Audu Williams, over the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Esther Tango, whose body was discovered in a bush between Kitty and Siffoe villages in the country’s West Coast Region.
The police disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the victim’s body was found on July 7, 2026, before investigators later established her identity as a 41-year-old Nigerian national.
According to the statement, the deceased, initially identified only as “Jessica,” was confirmed to be Esther Tango after detectives recovered her Nigerian passport during a search of her residence in Brikama.
Police said the identification followed extensive investigations carried out by detectives attached to the Suba Ward Criminal Investigation Department, with support from the Crime Scene Investigation Team.
Investigators said they relied on witness accounts, forensic examinations and telecommunications records to identify Williams as a key suspect before inviting him for questioning.
The police alleged that the suspect confessed to the killing during interrogation.
According to preliminary findings, Williams allegedly lured the deceased to Kitty on the night of July 6, 2026, where the incident reportedly occurred before abandoning her body at the scene.
The statement added that the suspect remains in police custody after being cautioned and would be charged in accordance with Gambian law upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Gambia Police Force commended the investigators for what it described as their professionalism, diligence and commitment, noting that their efforts led to a breakthrough in the case.
Authorities said investigations into the incident are still ongoing.
The latest development comes amid a series of criminal cases involving Nigerians abroad. Earlier this week, a Nigerian teenager based in the United Kingdom, Emmanuel Popoola, and his accomplice, Tayvon Etefia, were sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 28 years each for the murder of 18-year-old Keanu Harker.
British police said the pair tracked the victim on an electric bike before carrying out a drive-by shooting in Enfield on June 26, 2025, following a dispute linked to comments exchanged in a Snapchat group chat.
