Ian Squire, one of the four British hostages kidnapped in Delta State about three weeks ago has been killed while his counterparts were freed, according to reports.
The British High Commission and Nigerian authorities negotiated the release of three others – Alanna Carson, David Donovan and Shirley Donovan.
The four charity workers were kidnapped on October 13, while working as missionaries providing ‘free medical care and religious activities’ in the Burutu area of Delta state, said Chief Theo Fakama, from the local Enukorowa community.
The four ran a charity called New Foundations, providing medical care to remote villages.
Mail online reports that the circumstances surroundingMr Squire’s death, three weeks after his kidnap, were not immediately clear.
A UK Foreign Office spokesman said today: ‘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.’