By Mackie M. Jalloh
The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasaralla, accompanied by members of his executive and a delegation from the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL), Friday, January 17, 2025, visited the Waterloo Police Division and the scenes linked to the tragic killing of journalist Samuel Brima Mattia.
The visit was part of SLAJ’s efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the ongoing investigation.
During the visit, Superintendent Thomas Robyn Mansaray, the Support Officer for the Waterloo Police Division, provided an update on the investigation.
He confirmed that four individuals are currently in custody, assisting the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) with inquiries into the death of the journalist.
Superintendent Mansaray explained that the police first received a missing person’s report in the early hours of Thursday, January 16, 2025; and later that day, officers were alerted to the discovery of a battered body wrapped in a cloth near the perimeter fence of the Waterloo Correctional Centre.
He said the body was identified by family members and community residents as that of journalist Samuel Brima Mattia.
Police investigations led to the questioning of Joseph Lamin, Station Manager of VOPAD Radio, where Mattia was employed, and another individual. Further inquiries prompted the detention of two additional radio station staff. All four remain in custody as suspects, cooperating with police efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding Mattia’s death.
SLAJ president Nasaralla emphasized the importance of a thorough, professional, and impartial investigation. “The media demands justice for our colleague, and we trust the police to do everything in their power to uncover the truth,” he stated.
Nasaralla urged the SLP to handle the case with the highest level of professionalism and integrity to ensure justice is served.
He also reiterated SLAJ’s commitment to protect the rights of all journalists, including those in custody. “As much as we demand justice for Mattia, it is equally important to ensure that the detained journalists are treated fairly and humanely. They remain suspects until proven guilty by a competent court of law,” he stressed.
President Nasaralla further called on the detained journalists to cooperate fully with the investigation. “This is a painful and sensitive moment for the media fraternity. We urge our colleagues in custody to provide any information they have that could help bring justice for Samuel Mattia,” he said.
As part of their visit, the SLAJ and SWASAL delegation, accompanied by police officers, visited VOPAD Radio, where Mattia worked. They then met with the bereaved family to extend their condolences and solidarity. Nasaralla assured the family that SLAJ is actively monitoring the case and would advocate for justice to ensure that those responsible for Mattia’s death are held accountable.
The killing of Samuel Brima Mattia has sent shockwaves through Sierra Leone’s media landscape, raising concerns about the safety of journalists in the country. SLAJ has underscored the need for stronger protections for media workers, particularly as they navigate sensitive reporting and investigations.
Superintendent Mansaray assured the SLAJ delegation of the police’s commitment to uncovering the truth. “We are treating this case with the seriousness it deserves. We ask for patience as we continue our investigations,” he stated.
The death of Mattia, a respected journalist, has sparked calls for more comprehensive safety measures for media professionals in Sierra Leone. As the investigation unfolds, the media community and the public at large continue to demand justice for a life tragically cut short.
The case highlights the broader challenges facing journalists in Sierra Leone and the urgent need for accountability, not just for Mattia but for the safety of all media professionals in the country.
