Militants Kill Kidnapped Briton in Niger Delta

Segun Atanda/

Suspected Niger Delta militants have killed a British hostage, Ian Squire, who was kidnapped last month.

Three other victims were however freed by their abductors, the Foreign Office in London announced today.

The four were working with a Christian medical charity, providing free health treatment in Delta State, when they were kidnapped on October 13.

Squire was killed, while Alanna Carson, David Donovan and his wife, Shirley, survived their ordeal, AFP reports.

“We are grateful for the support received by the British High Commission and help from the Nigerian authorities in negotiating their release,” the families of the abductees said in a statement via the Foreign Office.

“We are delighted and relieved that Alanna, David and Shirley have returned home safely. Our thoughts are now with the family and friends of Ian as we come to terms with his sad death.

“This has been a traumatic time for our loved ones who were kidnapped and for their families and friends here in the UK, the statement further says.

Also, a Foreign Office spokeswoman says in a statement: “We are supporting the families of four British people who were abducted on October 13 in Nigeria, one of whom was tragically killed.

“Our staff will continue to do all we can to support the families.

“We are grateful to the Nigerian authorities, and are unable to comment given the ongoing nature of their investigations.”

Delta state police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka said on October 18 that the Britons had been providing humanitarian services.

“But unfortunately, they didn’t let the authorities know of their presence in the area all this while,” he said. “There is a militant group that has been operating in the area and we believe they are the ones behind the abduction.”

0