Kidnap Scots freed but Nigeria mercy trip ends in tragedy
Optician killed after 3-week hostage ordeal
A CHRISTIAN hostage has been killed in Nigeria but three other British missionaries have been rescued alive after a ‘traumatic’ three-week kidnapping ordeal.
Optician Ian Squire was ‘tragically killed’ before GP David Donovan and his wife Shirley, from Edinburgh, and 24-year-old Alanna Carson, of Fife, were released.
The trio – said to have been let go after negotiations in Nigeria – were last night at home with their families.
Evangelical Christian Mr Squire, 57, founded the charity Mission for Vision and provided eye care to the poor in povertystricken countries around the world.
The father of three and fellow missionaries were snatched from their beds during a raid on a small community in the Niger Delta last month, at 2am local time.
It is believed they were kidnapped by a violent militant gang known for making ransom demands and held in hidden creeks and swamp lands.
The circumstances around Mr Squire’s death were not clear last night. His family were told of his death on Saturday.
The British High Commission and Nigerian authorities negotiated the release of the others, it was reported.
A source working in the region told The Times they had heard that Mr Squire was killed during a rescue attempt, but this was unconfirmed.
A security expert in Nigeria told the newspaper: ‘It’s quite unusual for a hostage to die.’
Mr Squire – who was married to second wife Brigitta – established his Christian charity in 2003.
He organised teams to take old pairs of glasses to Africa from donations to his opticians’ surgery in Shepperton, Surrey, and from Heathrow Airport’s lost property.
Mr Squire was also credited with inventing a portable, solarpowered frame and lens cutting machine that could make prescription glasses in remote areas.
Friend Monica Chard said: ‘He was a lovely, quiet man who everyone knew and loved. He just wanted to help people see who otherwise would not have had any help. His widow must be devastated, especially after three weeks of hell waiting to find out if he was alive. The people who kidnapped him are despicable.’
Alanna Carson, also a devout Christian, worked as an optometrist at a Specsavers in Leven, Fife. The store’s director, Adrian McCann, said the team was ‘hugely relieved’ to hear she was with family in Northern Ireland.
Mr and Mrs Donovan, both 57, live in Cambridge, where he is a GP at the Riverside Practice. Mrs Donovan was born in Edinburgh.
They founded Christian medical charity New Foundations which, alongside Mission for Vision, set up an eye clinic in the village of Ekameta, southern Nigeria.
A statement released yesterday on behalf of all the hostages’ families, said: ‘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.
‘This has been a traumatic time for our loved ones.’
The Foreign Office said: ‘We are supporting the families of four British people who were abducted on October 13 in Nigeria, one of whom was tragically killed.
‘We are grateful to the Nigerian authorities and are unable to comment given the ongoing nature of their investigations.’
Mr Squire’s charity had launched missions to countries including Uganda and Mozambique – helping an estimated 100,000 people.
Delta police initially said the prime suspects were a militant gang, the Karowei.
Friends and customers last night paid tribute to Mr Squire online.
Judith Merrick wrote: ‘So angry, shocked and extremely sad.’
Carol Sinclair said: ‘Ian was a really lovely kind-hearted person.’
The FCO advises against all but essential travel to much of Delta state, warning there is a ‘high threat of criminal kidnap’.
‘Angry, shocked, extremely sad’