CAIRO: Italian engineer Francesco Lamolinara and a British colleague were kidnapped in Nigeria on 12 May 2011 and both men were killed last Thursday in the course of a failed rescue attempt. The Vatican released the following statement: “Benedict XVI, informed of the tragic death of the engineer Francesco Lamolinara, wishes to express his deepest condolences to members of the late man's family, and to assure them of his heartfelt participation in their mourning. Recalling the deceased's generous openness towards others and his contribution to peaceful coexistence among peoples, the Pope raises fervent prayers of Christian suffrage for his soul, sending his relatives and friends the comfort of an apostolic blessing, which he extends to everyone participating in the funeral and to the deceased's fellow citizens of Gattinara. “I too join the mourning and the prayers, and remain close to the relatives and friends whom I met last August to support them in their hope at that difficult moment”. A Nigerian spokesman for the Islamist militant group Boko Haram has told Bikyamasr.com that the group was “not involved” in the kidnapping of two foreign citizens in the country, but added that they “believe foreigners have no place in Nigeria.” The spokesman said that “we as an organization did not become involved in the kidnappings, but we praise the effort to show the world that Nigeria is not a place to meddle in our local affairs.” A pair of hostages – one British, one Italian – were killed on Thursday during a failed British rescue attempt in the sleepy town of Sokoto, in northwestern Nigeria. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said that Boko Haram militants were behind the kidnapping and killing of the two men. However, Boko Haram emphatically denied having taken part in this, or any other kidnapping. “We have not gone into the kidnapping business yet, but we hope to in the very near future,” said the spokesman, adding that “this will help show people we are serious about wanting an Islamic state. There is no place for Christians.” On Tuesday, the spokesman said that the group has plans to begin kidnapping Christian women in a push to “liquidate” the religious group from the country. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the spokesman said that “we are going to put into action new efforts to strike fear into the Christians of the power of Islam by kidnapping their women.” He added that they would not sexually assault or harm the women, “but we will demand as ransom that the families leave our Islamic areas.” Violence blamed on the militant group, who has called for an Islamic state in Nigeria, has since mid-2009 claimed more than 1,000 lives, including more than 300 this year alone, according to rights groups. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/3gYpQ Tags: Boko Haram, Denies, Kidnapping Death Section: Latest News, West Africa
