By Alpha Barrie

The Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) is united in profound grief and outrage following the shocking and brutal murder of their beloved colleague, Samuel Brima Mattia. On Thursday, January 16, 2025, the lifeless body of Mattia, a dedicated journalist at Vopad Radio 96.5 FM in Waterloo, was found in a pool of blood, leaving his family, colleagues, and the entire media community in deep sorrow.

Mattia was more than just a journalist; he was a passionate sports reporter, an active member of our Association, and a beacon of professionalism in the field of sports journalism. His untimely death has sent ripples of shock throughout the country, and his absence leaves a void in the industry that cannot be filled.

This brutal act is an outright attack on press freedom and poses a grave threat to the safety of journalists in Sierra Leone. It is not just an assault on one individual, but on the very foundation of free expression and the right to report the truth without fear or intimidation. As a collective voice of sports journalists, SWASAL, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), demands a swift and comprehensive investigation by the Sierra Leone Police into the circumstances surrounding Mattia’s tragic death. Those responsible for this heinous crime must be brought to justice without delay.

We call upon all members of SWASAL and journalists across the nation to join us in demanding justice for Samuel Brima Mattia by using the hashtag #JusticeForMattia on social media. Let this collective outcry serve as a reminder that violence against journalists is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

At this painful time, our thoughts are with Samuel’s family, who are grappling with the devastating loss of their loved one. We also urge the public to assist the police by providing any information that could help identify and apprehend those responsible for this senseless act of violence.

We stand together in solidarity, firm in our commitment to ensuring that Samuel’s legacy lives on. His work, his spirit, and his contributions to sports journalism in Sierra Leone will never be forgotten. We will continue to fight for justice for our fallen colleague and demand that the perpetrators face the full force of the law.

Let us honor Samuel’s memory by ensuring that his death does not go in vain.