The Gambia president Yahya Jammeh has dismissed from office four cabinet ministers on Friday.

Local government and lands minister, Ismaila Sambou was dismissed five days after a violent land dispute erupted between the communities of Giddah in Kombo Central and Giboroh in Kombo East last Sunday.

About 86 people were arrested as result of the skirmishes arising from the dispute. And on Tuesday local officials brought all those arrested before a magistrate court in the regional capital Brikama. They were charged with 'going armed in public', 'conspiracy to commit felony', and 'armed with jujus to commit criminal activities'.

All the 86 suspects have been released after signing bail-bonds of D300,000 each with a Gambian surety with proper national ID cards.

Other ministers removed from office are: Works and Infrastructure minister, Lamin Bojang; Fisheries and National Assembly minister, Antouman Saho; and Tourism and Culture minister, Ms Nancy Njie.

The State House has not yet issued any statement on the removal of the four ministers, but state broadcaster, the GRTS is expected to announce a statement from the president's office in its Friday evening newscast.