Two hostages captured last year by terrorists in Northern Nigeria have been killed in an apparent failed rescue attempt, foreign media reported this evening.

The BBC quoted Prime Minister David Cameron as announcing that two hostages, Chris McManus, a Briton, and Franco Lamolinara, an Italian, appeared to have been “murdered by their captors before they could be rescued”.

They were reported killed as a joint operation carried out by British and Nigerian tried to rescue them. Apart from the hostages, fatalities are said to have been recorded on the side of the hostages takers.

The rescue operation was carried out when the British authorities got credible information where the hostages were being held. However, before the rescuers could get to them, their abductors killed them, it is believed.

Cameron is quoted to have said that McManus and Mr Lamolinara were “taken hostage by terrorists” in northern Nigeria May last year.

“Since then, we have been working closely with the Nigerian authorities to try to find Chris and Franco, and to secure their release. The terrorists holding the two hostages made very clear threats to take their lives, including in a video that was posted on the internet. After months of not knowing where they were being held, we received credible information about their location. A window of opportunity arose to secure their release,” the British MP reportedly told newsmen in Downing Street today.

The Italian government too is said to have issued a statement announcing the killing of the two hostages in Northern Nigeria.