The late Ian Squire (Photo:Guardian UK)
A British hostage kidnapped last month in southern Nigeria has been
killed and three others freed, the Foreign Office has confirmed. Ian
Squire was one of four Britons taken by suspected militants on 13
October from the oil-rich Delta area.
The British High Commission and Nigerian authorities negotiated the
release of Alanna Carson, David Donovan and Shirley Donovan. The FCO
said it had been a "traumatic time" for those involved.
It said the Nigerian authorities were investigating the kidnapping, adding: "Our staff will continue to do all we can to support the families."
British charity workers
The four Britons taken hostage had all been working for a medical
charity in the town of Enekorogha. Mr Squire, an optician, had been
administering free medical aid to local people.
It is believed the group were taken at about 02:00 local time on 13
October, when suspected militants stormed a rural community they were
living in.
According to reports, Dr and Mrs Donovan have lived in Nigeria for
the past 14 years, running a charity called New Foundations, which gives
aid to remote villages in the Niger Delta.
Ms Carson, a Specsavers optometrist, is now staying with her family
in Northern Ireland, according to her employer. Relatives of the four
said they were "delighted and relieved" that Ms Carson and Dr and Mrs Donovan had returned safely.
"Our thoughts are now with the family and friends of Ian as we come to terms with his sad death," they said in a statement issued on their behalf.
The Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to much of Delta state, saying there is a "high threat of criminal kidnap".
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