“How can you stop mourning the missing?”

If you’re diving into shows like "Missing: Dead or Alive," "Amy Bradley is Missing," "Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter," "Gone Girl," or "Still Missing Morgan," we recommend taking time to watch "Fighting Giants," directed by Oluwaseun Babalola.

This compelling film captures the emotional journey of a mother and daughter as they search for a loved one, showcasing the strength of familial bonds amidst heartache.

Massah, a Sierra Leonean American, was last seen in August 2018 during her time in Sierra Leone, where she was working for a non-governmental organization (NGO).

Drawing on newspaper accounts, 9Rivers has crafted a powerful narrative that has resonated with the Sierra Leonean diaspora for years.

The Patriarch

Long before AJK gained attention for his controversial stance against dissent in the media, he would share stories with anyone who listened about how the government under Siaka Stevens undermined the law and eroded the foundations of justice and democracy.

Throughout his political journey,  AJK distinguished himself as an advocate for change and a committed voice for his constituents in the Pujehun District of southern Sierra Leone.

His parliamentary career began with his election in 1996, and he secured re-election by substantial margins in 2002, 2007, and 2012, demonstrating his support from the electorate. In Parliament, he held the position of chairman for the Privileges and Ethics Committee, where he worked to uphold integrity within the legislative process.

In the early 2000s, AJK underwent a significant transformation from a fiery political figure to a more reflective idealist. He formed strong bonds with a generation of Sierra Leonean leaders who shared a vision of political service as a calling rather than just a career.

Many of his mentors and champions, who are no longer with us, believed in promoting democracy as a means of giving back to their country. After their terms in public service, they chose to return to their previous paths, following the example of Ahmad Tejan-Kabbah, the country’s first president after the war.


Tejan-Kabbah, despite facing challenges from coups led by military figures like Maada Bio, emerged as a beacon of hope during the turbulent times that followed the civil conflict.

As the nation approached the 2018 elections, AJK stepped forward to express his desire to become the flagbearer for the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). He wisely recognized the need for a unifying force within the party at a time when personal loyalties had overshadowed collective commitment to the party's values.

Despite his dedication and vision, AJK’s efforts to lead faced obstacles, as he lost the leadership race and his perspective was overshadowed by the factional "pa-o-pa" group that took control of the SLPP.

This shift left the emerging generation in a haze, struggling to delineate their political identity between the legacy of the Tejan-Kabbah era and the tumultuous past represented by figures like Maada Bio.

The Daughter

Tragically, amidst the political fervor of 2018, a personal heartbreak struck AJK when his daughter, Massah, who is also the half-sister of Oluwaseun (Seun) Babalola, went missing in Freetown. 

Years later, in August 2024, Seun made a poignant contribution to this narrative by releasing a compelling short film entitled "Fighting Giants."

The film artfully depicts the heart-wrenching journey of a mother and daughter in search of their beloved family member.

On April 3, 2019, a significant announcement was made regarding the discovery of Massah's remains.  Massah had been missing for several months before her mother, Mrs. Ayodele Babalola (née Ademu-John), challenged police statements during a press conference, which claimed that the exhumed body belonged to her daughter.

She requested a forensic examination in the United States, insisting on absolute clarity for the sake of her family's peace of mind.

Massah, a Sierra Leonean American, was last seen in August 2018 during her time in Sierra Leone, where she was working for a non-governmental organization (NGO).

The Sierra Leone Police held a special press conference about the case of the missing 40-year-old, and news of Massah's disappearance became a hot topic on social media in early August 2018.

After several months without leads, the community grew increasingly concerned and questioned the lack of developments, especially in light of Massah's dedication to humanitarian work. Friends described her as exceptionally kind and generous, making her disappearance all the more distressing.

Driven by her love and determination, Mrs. Babalola traveled from the U.S. to Sierra Leone to search for her daughter. She partnered with Philipp Neville from Standard Times, who played a crucial role in amplifying Massah's story and sharing her image, alongside her mother’s heartfelt plea for information.

On April 2, 2019, a breakthrough occurred when Ibrahim Mansaray, who was in police custody, confessed to killing Massah and claimed her body was buried where she had once lived.

This revelation led police and Mrs. Babalola to the site, where human remains were indeed discovered.

Police Chief Inspector Moigbeh provided some insight into the investigation,  yet Mrs. Babalola remained skeptical, affirming, “I seek to have the body sent to the United States for forensic confirmation.”

As the press conference drew to a close, an emotional tension filled the room when Mrs. Babalola accused her ex-partner, AJK, of having knowledge about Massah's fate, culminating in a confrontation among family members.

Interestingly, Ibrahim Mansaray was a driver whom Massah had previously assisted in obtaining a driving license, raising further questions about his possible motives.

While the community continues to seek answers in this tragic case, the search for truth and justice for Massah Kaikai exemplifies the resilience of love and hope in even the darkest of circumstances. It's an essential reminder of the power of connection and the efforts we can mobilize in pursuit of truth.

On social media, Seun reflected on the project's emotional journey, renewed conversations about Massah's disappearance, and the broader issue of the missing around the world. "Fighting Giants" stands as a powerful testament to Seun's memory of her sister.

I am still mourning my missing brother, who vanished without a trace in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in the early 1980s. 

“How can you stop mourning the missing?”― Florence Engel Randall, The Watcher in the Woods