Hague names British hostage believed killed in Nigeria

The foreign secretary said in a statement on Sunday that it was with “great sadness” that he “must confirm” the worker had been “tragically murdered”.

He said: “It is with deep sadness that I must confirm that a British construction worker, held hostage in Nigeria since 16 February, is likely to have been killed at the hands of his captors, along with six other foreign nationals who we believe were also tragically murdered.

“This was an act of cold-blooded murder, which I condemn in the strongest terms.

“My thoughts are with his family, and the families of the other hostages, who will be devastated by this tragic loss. I offer them our deep condolences at this terrible time, and know that the thoughts of people up and down our country will be with them. I ask the media to allow them time to come to terms with their loss in privacy.”

In a tweet, below, he added that his thoughts were “with Brendan BVaughan’s family and friends”.

Blame

His statement followed an announcement by terrorist group Ansaru, believed to be an offshoot of Boko Haram, on Saturday, in which it said it had killed the hostages because of British and Nigerian rescue attempts.

My thoughts are with Brendan Vaughan’s family and friends, as they come to terms with this tragedy

— William Hague (@WilliamJHague) March 10, 2013

In the statement, posted on an Islamist website and accompanied by video stills purporting to show the dead hostages, Ansaru said: “(We) announced the capture of seven Christian foreigners and warned that should there be any attempt by force to rescue them will render their lives in danger.

“The Nigeria and British government operation lead to the death of all the seven Christian foreigners.”

Mr Hague said: “Responsibility for this tragic outcome rests squarely with the terrorists. I am grateful to the Nigerian Government for their unstinting help and cooperation. We are utterly determined to work with them to hold the perpetrators of this heinous act to account, and to combat the terrorism which so blights the lives of people in Northern Nigeria and in the wider region.”

Those kidnapped included three Lebanese citizens and one each from Britain, Greece, Italy and the Philippines – all employees of Setraco, a Lebanese construction company with an operation in Bauchi state, local officials said at the time.

Earlier on Sunday the Greek and Italian governments also confirmed that it appeared their citizens had been killed by the group.