A British national and charity worker, IIan Squire has been reportedly killed in the South South region of Nigeria.
The BBC, citing the U.K.’s Foreign Office, reported that Squire was held hostage with three others who were later released, just 48 hours after Militant group, Niger Delta Avengers announced plans to resume hostility.
The four were reportedly abducted on October 13, in oil-rich Delta State, according to the BBC. Delta state is part of the country’s oil-producing Niger River region.
The British High Commission and Nigerian authorities negotiated the release of the three hostages who survived and the kidnapping is being investigated, a spokesperson for the British Foreign Office, whose name was not given, was quoted as saying.
It is understood that 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 southern Delta state in the early hours of 13 October.
A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the families of four British people who were abducted on 13 October 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.
