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| Nigeria deaths: Family pay tribute to Chris McManus | Nigeria deaths: Family pay tribute to Chris McManus |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The family of an engineer from Greater Manchester, who was kidnapped and killed in Nigeria, have paid tribute to him ahead of his funeral. | The family of an engineer from Greater Manchester, who was kidnapped and killed in Nigeria, have paid tribute to him ahead of his funeral. |
| Hostages Chris McManus, 28, from Oldham, and Italian Franco Lamolinara, 48, died on 8 March before Nigeria and UK forces were able to rescue them. | |
| Mr McManus' family described him as a "loving son, brother and boyfriend and true friend" who had a "heart of gold". | Mr McManus' family described him as a "loving son, brother and boyfriend and true friend" who had a "heart of gold". |
| They also praised the "bravery" of those who tried to free him. | They also praised the "bravery" of those who tried to free him. |
| 'Loved Nigeria' | |
| The family statement said: "It is a sad and emotional day for our family as we say goodbye to Chris but it is also a day for us to celebrate [his] life." | The family statement said: "It is a sad and emotional day for our family as we say goodbye to Chris but it is also a day for us to celebrate [his] life." |
| They said he went to Nigeria for professional experience and was welcomed "like a family member" by his employers and colleagues there. | They said he went to Nigeria for professional experience and was welcomed "like a family member" by his employers and colleagues there. |
| "He loved Nigeria and the people and made many friends in the country." | "He loved Nigeria and the people and made many friends in the country." |
| Gunmen seized the two engineers in Birnin Kebbi city in north west Nigeria on 12 May. | |
| A video was released to news media appearing to show the men blindfolded with their arms behind them. Masked men were standing behind them in the footage. | |
| UK Prime Minister David Cameron said UK and Nigeria authorities launched a rescue operation after receiving "credible information about [the men's] location". | |
| However, the hostages were already dead and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed the men were killed in Sokoto, Sokoto State, to the north east of Birnin Kebbi. | |
| 'Determination and bravery' | |
| The family said they were "overwhelmed" by the support they had received in the wake of the tragedy and were grateful for the "determination and bravery" of those who attempted to rescue him. | |
| "We know that many people both here and in Nigeria worked hard to free Chris," the statement said. | "We know that many people both here and in Nigeria worked hard to free Chris," the statement said. |
| "[He] would have been proud to know that every effort was made to try and bring him home." | "[He] would have been proud to know that every effort was made to try and bring him home." |
| Mr McManus - an Oldham Athletic Football Club fan - is being laid to rest in Oldham later. | Mr McManus - an Oldham Athletic Football Club fan - is being laid to rest in Oldham later. |
| One of the men suspected of planning the kidnapping of Mr McManus and Mr Lamolinara died in police custody, said the secret service. | |
| The State Security Service said Abu Mohammed had died of gunshot wounds sustained when he was captured along with five other suspects a day before the failed attempt to rescue the captives. |