Three immigration officers from The Gambia have reportedly disappeared in Italy after traveling to Rome for a two-week border security training program, triggering concern from Gambian authorities and renewed debate over migration pressures facing African countries.
The officers, identified as Basirou L. Bojang, Lamin Drammeh, and Bambi Jah, were part of an official delegation sent to Italy for specialized training related to border management and migration security.
According to statements released by the Gambia Immigration Department, the three officers later went missing while still in Italy and have not reported back to authorities.
The department strongly condemned the incident and formally requested assistance from Italian authorities to help trace the officers and facilitate their immediate return to Gambia.
Officials in Banjul described the disappearances as a serious violation of public service discipline and international travel procedures.
The irony of the incident has also attracted attention locally and online, with many pointing out that the missing officials were themselves immigration officers attending a course focused on border security and migration control.
Italy has remained one of the main destinations for African migrants attempting to enter Europe through legal and irregular routes, particularly from West and North Africa.
Over the past decade, thousands of Gambians have migrated abroad seeking employment opportunities and better living conditions, with Europe remaining a major destination despite increasing immigration restrictions.
The latest incident comes as several African governments continue facing challenges linked to brain drain, youth unemployment, and migration-related pressures.
Neither the Italian government nor the Rome police had publicly commented on the officers’ whereabouts by Tuesday evening.
Authorities in Gambia say investigations are continuing while diplomatic communication between the two countries remains ongoing.
