Foreign hostages killed in failed rescue attempt to free them from captors in Kebbi State

British Chris MacManus, left, and Italian national Franco Lamolinara, right, in the first video released by their kidnappers in Nigeria in August last year

A British and Italian hostage have been killed after a botched rescue attempt to free the pair from Al Qaeda kidnappers.

Chris MacManus and Franco Lamolinara had been held since May last year after being captured in Kebbi State. Their kidnappers are believed to have killed the hostages as a special forces team - including British troops - moved in to free them today.

  

Christopher MacManus before he was captured

Eight members of the Special Boat Service, supported by between eight to 12 Royal Marine commandos, carried out the operation, along with Nigerian troops.
Their deaths were confirmed by David Cameron who phoned Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti to tell him the news.
The pair had been working together in northern Nigeria (Kebbi state) when they were taken last year.

They were seen pleading for their lives in a number of videos released by their captors.
Mr Cameron today said the rescue mission was launched because of growing fears that the men's lives were in 'imminent and growing danger'.

In a statement, he said the attempt was mounted by Nigerian authorities with British support but both hostages were killed by their captors before they could be rescued.

He said: 'Chris MacManus, a British citizen, was taken hostage by terrorists in Northern Nigeria in May 2011. He was taken hostage with his colleague, an Italian national, Franco Lamolinara.
'Since then, we have been working closely with the Nigerian authorities to try to find Chris and Franco, and to secure their release.

'The terrorists holding the two hostages made very clear threats to take their lives, including in a video that was posted on the internet.
'After months of not knowing where they were being held, we received credible information about their location.

'A window of opportunity arose to secure their release.
'We also had reason to believe that their lives were under imminent and growing danger.'

May they find peace with the lord.......

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