A BRITISH engineer who was abducted at gunpoint in Nigeria last year has been killed in a failed rescue attempt.

Chris McManus, 28, from the north-west of England, was murdered by his captors before a team of British and Nigerian forces could rescue him.

His parents said they were devastated by his death.

Mr McManus and his Italian colleague Franco Lamolinara were taken hostage by gunmen at their lodgings in Birnin Kebbi city, north-west Nigeria, on May 12, 2011.

Prime Minister David Cameron said authorities had decided to go ahead with the rescue operation after receiving credible information about the men's whereabouts.

He said: "A window of opportunity arose to secure their release. We also had reason to believe that their lives were under imminent and growing danger.

"Preparations were made to mount an operation to attempt to rescue Chris and Franco. Together with the Nigerian Government, today I authorised it to go ahead, with UK support.

"It is with great regret that I have to say that both Chris and Franco have lost their lives. We are still awaiting confirmation of the details, but the early indications are clear that both men were murdered by their captors before they could be rescued."

It is understood the kidnappers, believed to be from Islamist group Boko Haram, have been arrested.

Mr Cameron added: "Our immediate thoughts must be with Chris and Franco's families, and we offer them our sincerest condolences.

"Both families have endured a terrible ordeal, and this is a devastating moment for all of them.

"The Foreign Office have been in regular contact with the McManus family since Chris's capture. I spoke to them just before Christmas, and I have spoken to them again with the news this afternoon.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank the Nigerian authorities, and President Jonathan personally, for all they have done to help find Chris, and combat terrorism."

He added: "I also want to pay tribute to all those, including UK personnel, who worked so hard to try to bring Chris home safely. I am very sorry that this ended so tragically."

Mr McManus's family also released a statement thanking those who had tried to free him.

They said: "As a family, we are of course devastated by the news of Chris's death which we received earlier today. During this ordeal we have relied heavily on the support of our family and friends, which has never waned and has enabled us to get through the most difficult of times.

"We are also aware of the many people who were working to try to have Chris returned to our family, and his girlfriend. We would like to thank all of them for their efforts.

"We knew Chris was in an extremely dangerous situation. However, we knew that everything that could be done was being done."

They added: "Our thoughts are also of course with the loved ones of Chris's colleague, Franco Lamolinara, who are also coming to terms with this truly sad news."

Mr McManus and Mr Lamolinara were working on the construction of the headquarters for the Central Bank of Nigeria when they were seized.

Another Italian employee managed to escape during the kidnapping but a Nigerian neighbour who came to help was shot and wounded.

A video clip of the two men blindfolded was released to the media last year and included threats they would be killed.