Tributes have been paid to a British journalist who was shot and killed in an armed robbery in Ghana.
Syed Taalay Ahmed, 31, from Hartlepool, was working for Muslim Television Ahmadiyya International (MTA) when his vehicle was ambushed on 23 August.
According to the BBC the attack took place near the town of Tamale in the north of the country, according to local reports.
Mr Ahmed, who studied journalism at the University of Sunderland, is survived by his wife and two children.
In a press release, Ghanaian police said two men suspected of involvement were killed during a shootout in the days following the ambush and four others had been arrested.
A spokesman for London-based MTA said of Mr Ahmed: “He was a much loved member of the MTA team and produced a series of faith-inspiring documentaries and programmes.
The network said the journalist was in Ghana filming a documentary that “highlighted the charity works conducted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim community”.
At about 19:00 local time, the car he was in was ambushed by armed robbers who opened fire, hitting Mr Ahmed and a Ghanaian colleague, before making off with some possessions and money.
He was declared dead at the Tamale Teaching Hospital a short while later.
His body is due to be repatriated to the UK on Wednesday.
Muhammed Ali Ahmed, general secretary of the Nasir Mosque in Hartlepool, said the “very friendly and lively” journalist had been an “outstanding student” who was the head boy at both High Tunstall College of Science and the English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College.
Mr Ahmed was also a keen sportsman who played for Hartlepool Cricket Club as well as football and table tennis.
“It’s absolutely tragic, very shocking news, I couldn’t believe it,” Muhammed Ali Ahmed said.
He added that the journalist was “totally professional and committed to his work” and was shot while trying to “save his laptop and equipment”, having spent 13 days in Africa filming for a documentary.
“Sadly he gave his life for the sake of his work, that’s how committed he was.”
Muhammed Ali Ahmed, general secretary of the Nasir Mosque in Hartlepool, said the “very friendly and lively” journalist had been an “outstanding student” who was the head boy at both High Tunstall College of Science and the English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College.
Mr Ahmed was also a keen sportsman who played for Hartlepool Cricket Club as well as football and table tennis.
“It’s absolutely tragic, very shocking news, I couldn’t believe it,” Muhammed Ali Ahmed said.
He added that the journalist was “totally professional and committed to his work” and was shot while trying to “save his laptop and equipment”, having spent 13 days in Africa filming for a documentary.
“Sadly he gave his life for the sake of his work, that’s how committed he was.”
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