UK hostage killed during rescue operation A British hostage was killed by his captors in Nigeria after an attempted rescue operation involving UK special forces ended in tragedy. Chris McManus, who was working in the country as a building firm contractor, was killed alongside an Italian colleague as Nigerian troops and British Special Boat Service commandos launched a failed mission in the West African country. The UK national had been held by terrorists associated with Islamist extremist group Boko Haram since May last year after being kidnapped from his apartment. David Cameron said Mr McManus and co-worker Franco Lamolinara had been in "imminent and growing danger" and an opportunity had arisen to attempt to rescue them. However the Prime Minister has been criticised after it emerged that Italian authorities were not notified about the covert operation until it was under way. Mr Cameron said: "The terrorists holding the two hostages made very clear threats to take their lives, including in a video that was posted on the internet. Preparations were made to mount an operation to attempt to rescue Chris and Franco. Together with the Nigerian government, I authorised it to go ahead, with UK support. Exact details of how Mr McManus died remain unclear, but Mr Cameron said initial indications were that the contractor and Mr Lamolinara were "murdered by their captors, before they could be rescued."