Two of the British survivors who were rescued earlier this month revealed that a British Christian missionary was gunned down in Nigeria just after singing "Amazing Grace." This report just follows the previous accounts that claimed the 57-year-old missionary Ian Squire passed away from a severe asthma attack while being held hostage at the southern Delta region of Nigeria.
David Donovan shared how Squire was to his fellow hostages to The Telegraph. "Ian was a man of faith, humor, music, and invention," said Donovan.
Donovan, along with his wife Shirley, and another Christian missionary named Alanna Carson were brought back to their home country of Britain earlier this month after surviving a three-week kidnapping. The three of them were kept captive in a bamboo hut located in a swamp. The kidnappers held the Donovans as well as two other captives at gunpoint, ignoring their pleas that they were missionaries that offered medical services.
They then revealed that their captors were from the cult-like gang called the Egbesu Boys, named after an ancient war god in the local Ijaw tribal culture. After taking their hostages to the hut, the kidnappers gave some of their possessions back, one of which being Squire's guitar. Squire then decided to try and cheer up his fellow hostages by playing and singing "Amazing Grace," the only song he could play without the use of music sheets.
Donovan shared that it was the perfect song for their situation and as they sung it, things started to look less dire. He went on to say that it reminded them about why they chose to serve the Lord and follow their calling. However, Donovan recalled that after Squire was done playing, he stood up and was suddenly hit by a number of gunshots.
"He stood up, and a salvo of gunshots killed him instantly. We didn't see who did it, but it was obvious that someone in gang had shot him. It was terrifying to see," said Donovan.
Donovan went on to recall that the three of them jumped out of the hut and into the water, thinking that the gang was going to try and kill them next. However, one of the gang's members came and instead put them back in the hut for the rest of the day. The gunman's reason for killing Squire remains to be determined, but Donovan speculated that their captors were likely inebriated and have perhaps become paranoid and feared that the music would blow their cover.
The Donovans also pointed out that they had not heard about the Egbesu gang before they were taken. Although the gang members who hold ritual scarring ceremonies in the belief that they would become bulletproof, have been striking fear among the civilians. Shirley Donovan went to say that they found some inspiration by reading a Bible that was previously stolen by the kidnappers in one of their raids. They tried to explain to the kidnappers that many of their colleagues also came from impoverished backgrounds.
Donovan then revealed that there was a moment of silence afterwards, but two members were asking more about the Bible. Donovan then said that he also offered his captors some medical assistance.
After three weeks in a tough environment as well as witnessing the death of Squire, the three hostages were freed. The kidnappers told them that the Nigerian government had paid their ransom. Donovan said that they will not forget Squire.
