A British hostage killed in Nigeria, while three others were freed

shakirudeen taiwo

November 6, 2017 4:11 PM

The British government have declared Delta state, and some parts of the country 'high risk zones for kidnapping.'

Ian Squire, one of the four British citizens kidnapped in Southern Nigeria, has been killed while three others were freed by the captors.

According to the information from the Foreign Office (FCO), four Britons were kidnapped by suspected militants on October 13, 2017, from the oil-rich Niger Delta area.

“It is understood the four were taken at about 02:00 local time last month, when they were living in,” said FCO.

The FCO said it had been a "traumatic time" for those involved. "Our staff will continue to do all we can to support the families."

The British High Commission and Nigerian authorities negotiated the release of three others - Alanna Carson, David Donovan and Shirley Donovan.

In 2012, a Briton - Christopher McManus, was also killed in Northern Nigeria by Boko Haram militant alongside Franco Lamolinara – an Italian, in a failed rescue mission by the Nigerian government.

Kidnapping has become a major business for criminal minds and unemployed youths in most part of Southern Nigeria. Thus, making the government of many Western countries declare some parts of the country high-risk region for their citizens.

At the moment, FCO advises against all but essential travels to Delta state, noting that it is a "high threat of criminal kidnap".

shakirudeen taiwo