British hostage 'killed in Nigeria'
Wednesday, 22 Nov 2006 20:33
The oil workers were kidnapped this morning
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A British oil worker has reportedly been killed in Nigeria after security forces attempted to rescue seven hostages taken earlier today.
The employee of Italian firm Eni was named as a UK resident by the country's foreign ministry, while Nigeria's navy itself has said the individual was British.
Two of the remaining six hostages were injured in the rescue, while two militants died in the conflict following the abduction this morning.
The workers were seized from a supply boat by armed gunmen on speedboats off the oil-rich delta's coast.
A military source said: "Government security forces engaged militants from this morning's hostage taking. One expat is dead and two were injured. Four were unharmed."
Kidnappings in the Nigerian delta region are common, but this is believed to be the first time that a foreign hostage has died as a result.
Local militia gangs are campaigning for a greater share of the country's oil wealth, although many militants have no political agenda.