Surrey dispensing optician Ian Squire has been killed in Nigeria after being taken hostage three weeks ago.
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 October 13.
Squire, 56, had previously visited Nigeria three times to carry out work for his self-founded charity, Mission for Vision, which makes annual eye care trips to remote regions of Africa.
A statement released by the UK 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.
‘This has clearly been a traumatic time for all concerned, and our staff will continue to do all we can to support the families.’