Friends mourn young photographer shot dead in Akwa Ibom

Friends and relations of an enterprising photographer who was shot dead by gunmen suspected to be armed robbers in Akwa Ibom State have continued to mourn the

The victim, Samuel Ekerendu who was popularly known as Sammy Paparazzi, was reportedly shot dead in his house in Uyo, the state capital by the gunmen in the night of Saturday, May 20, 2017.

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According to his friends, when the armed robbers stormed the young photographer's house off Atiku Abubakar Way, they wanted to dispossess him of the expensive cameras he just acquired from Europe but instead of handing over the equipment to them, he began struggling with them and in the process, they shot him and he died on the spot.

One his friends who wrote on the sad demise on Facebook said:

"Samuel Ekerendu, why? Why do you make me cry like this again? This is just 31 days since I wrote a birthday message for you 24th April but today, May 21, I went to the mortuary only to see you, my brother, lying flat on the bed with your nose up.

Oh, the mighty has fallen. I didn't know I'm not going to see you again. Tears drop down my face as you suffer this much only for you not to reap the fruit of your labour.

Rest on my brother. Who will take on with your work? God knows better. Rip #SammyPaparazi. I will forever miss the happy moments we shared."

Another of his close friends, Ekemini 'Asteroid' Bassey, a popular publisher, and music presenter on AKBC wrote:

"Dear Sammy, I remember when Nelson NseAbasi introduced you to me as a budding photographer. As young as you were, you were so passionate and distinct in your style of capturing moments and catching celebrities off guard.

It was one of those impressive shots at 2nd Baze that made me call you Sammy Paparazzi. We joked about you being just like the paparazzi in the west.

I didn't know it will become your official brand name. Then in 2011, you became our official photographer for E-101 magazine and all grew together.

You loved photography, you lived photography; so sad you had to die for it. This is so hard for me Sammy; you were incredibly talented and too passionate to die now.

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And I just mentioned you in a conversation two days before your demise. I should have just called you instead. Oh, Sammy! Adieu, my brother. The awesome pictures you left behind will keep you in our minds forever."

May his soul rest in perfect peace.