The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasaralla, along with cross-section of his executive and a delegation from The Sports Writers’ Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) has visited the Waterloo Police Division as well as the crime scenes to follow up on the killing of one famous journalist Samuel Brima Mattia (aka Utaka) at Kissy Town in Waterloo on Friday, 17 January 2025.

During this visit, the Support Officer, Superintendent Thomas Robyn Mansaray, informed the delegation that the investigation is ongoing and that four individuals are currently in custody, assisting with the inquiry.

He assured the delegation that the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) is treating the investigation with the utmost seriousness it deserves, with an aim to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice.

According to Superintendent Mansaray, the police initially received a report of a missing person in the early hours of Thursday, 16 January 2025. As the investigation progressed, they were alerted to the discovery of an abandoned corpse at the perimeter fence of the Waterloo Correctional Centre, according to initial reports. The deceased was identified by family members and local community members at the time. Acting on intelligence gathered, the police subsequently invited the Station Manager of VOPAD Radio, Joseph Lamin, along with another individual for questioning. Additional information led to the invitation of two other staff members from the radio station for further inquiry. The police currently have four individuals assisting with the investigation.

SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasarall emphasized the importance of thoroughness in the investigation, thus urging the police to take the necessary time to ensure that justice is ultimately served.

He acknowledged that, while the media seeks justice for their late colleague, the individuals in custody, who are also journalists, are of significant interest to the SLAJ body. Nasralla called upon the police to conduct the investigation professionally.

Furthermore, President Nasralla has urged the detained journalists to cooperate fully with the police by providing any pertinent information they possess regarding the matter, noting that SLAJ is closely monitoring the situation.

The SLAJ and SWASAL delegation, accompanied by personnel, also visited VOPAD Radio and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

About the life of the deceased, Africa 24 journalist understood that Brima Mattia was a fine football player nicknamed UTAKA. His outshinning right wing in the field earned him a great respect back then at Camp Field, once called Refugee Camp.

At the height of the war in Liberia when Liberians refugees were staying at Refuge Camp now known Kissy Town, Utaka was famous for his number Seven jersey wore on the pitch always.

As a tall young then between 2005 and 2006, he could easily flick past an opponent player and was good at cooling down a ball on his chest. His fame declined after refugees Liberian players had left the country for Liberia.

He became a community journalist years later starting around the year 2012.