Briton, Italian hostages killed during rescue attempt

A Briton and an Italian, held hostage for 10 months in Sokoto State, were yesterday killed by their captors before they could be rescued by security agencies. British citizen, Chris McManus and Italian national, Franco Lamolinara, were kidnapped since May 2, 2011 at Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State by suspected Boko Haram members.

 After much security hunt, which also involved British security personnel, it was discovered that the two hostages were being kept in a house in Sokoto State. Yesterday, tension mounted within the Sokoto metropolis as a combined team of soldiers and armed policemen exchange gunfire with suspected Boko Haram members in a house harbouring the hostages and their captors.


“We are still awaiting confirmation of the details, but the early indications are clear that both men were murdered by their captors, before they could be rescued.” Cameron said British and Nigerian authorities had been working hard to free the hostages since they were kidnapped on May 12. “The terrorists holding the two hostages made very clear threats to take their lives, including in a video that was posted on the internet,” Cameron said.

 The prime minister said authorities couldn’t locate the men for months, but eventually “received credible information about their location” and “a window of opportunity arose to secure their release.” “We also had reason to believe that their lives were under imminent and growing danger. Preparations were made to mount an operation to attempt to rescue Chris and Franco,” Cameron said.

 Italian Prime Minister, Mario Monti said an “unpredicted acceleration of events took place over the last hours.”
 The two men worked as engineers for an Italian construction company based in Nigeria, when gunmen stormed their apartment in Birnin Kebbi and kidnapped them.