A British hostage identified as Ian Squire who was taken by suspected Nigerian militants last month has been killed.

Squire was apprehended on 13 October from oil-rich Delta area together with three others who have reportedly been set free.

After their capture, the British high commission and Nigerian authorities negotiated for the release of Alanna Carson, David Donovan and Shirley Donovan.

The British Foreign Office (FCO) said it had been a “traumatic time” for those involved. An FCO spokesperson said that Nigerian authorities were investigating the kidnapping, adding: “Our staff will continue to do all we can to support the families.”

The four Britons taken hostage had all been working for a medical charity in the town of Enekorogha. Squire, an optician, had been administering free medical aid to local people.

It is believed the group were taken at about 02:00 local time on 13 October, when suspected militants stormed a rural community they were living in.

According to reports, Dr and Mrs Donovan have lived in Nigeria for the past 14 years, running a charity called New Foundations, which gives aid to remote villages in the Niger Delta.