Killed British worker in Nigeria named

Police have identified a British oil worker killed during an attempt to free seven men seized by Nigerian militants. David Hunt, 58, from Middlesbrough, died during a rescue attempt after being taken hostage from an oil ship off the coast of southern Nigeria.

An Italian man was also hurt in the Nigerian Navy's attempt to rescue the men who worked for Italian firm Eni. Two Finns, a Filipino, a Pole, and a Romanian were also held. David Hunt's family said they were "devastated". Two kidnappers and a soldier were also killed in the operation. However, Eni said the remaining 76 members of the crew, who were on the ship when it was first attacked, are "in good health".

Mr Hunt's wife Janice, who is still trying to come to terms with his death, said in a statement: "David was a wonderful loving son, husband, father and grandfather. His death has left us utterly devastated."

Mr Hunt leaves two children - his son, Darren, 33, daughter, Kimberley, 30. He also leaves five grandchildren - four boys and a girl, all aged between two and seven.

The hostages were seized from a supply ship off the Niger Delta coast, by 10 armed men on speedboats, early on Wednesday morning.

Nigerian forces became involved in a shoot-out with the kidnappers during the rescue attempt. Eni, which was reportedly forced to shut down its operations at the Okono/Okpoho oilfield after the attack, added that no damage to the ship was reported.

A series of attacks in Nigeria's main oil-producing region has cut output by about 25% this year.

In September, President Olusegun Obasanjo promised strong action to crackdown on armed groups in the Niger Delta, but the attacks have continued.

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