British hostage killed in Nigeria as three more are freed

A British man who was being held hostage in Nigeria has been killed, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

Ian Squire was kidnapped in the country’s southern Delta State along with three others, who have been set free.

Alanna Carson, David Donovan and Shirley Donovan, have returned home safely after The British High Commission and Nigerian authorities negotiated their release.

The circumstances surrounding Ian Squire’s death, three weeks after his kidnap, were not immediately clear.

It is understood that Mr Squire and fellow Christian charity workers David and Shirley Donovan and Alanna Carson were working as missionaries when they were abducted from their accommodation in the early hours of 13 October.

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A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the families of four British people who were abducted on October 13 in Nigeria, one of whom was tragically killed.

“This has clearly been a traumatic time for all concerned, and 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.”

In a statement, the families of the four hostages said: “Alanna, Ian, David and Shirley were kidnapped in Nigeria some three weeks ago.

“We are grateful for the support received by the British High Commission and help from the Nigerian authorities in negotiating their release.

“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. We would therefore ask that the media respect our privacy as we come to terms with the news. We will not be making any further comment.”

The Government currently advises against ‘all but essential’ travel to the area where the kidnapping took place.