Freed British missionary forgives men who killed his best friend

David Donovan from Fenland described the experience as “hellish” but claims he bore “no anger, no resentment” to the perpetrators.

The former GP was offering free medical services to communities in rural Nigeria when he, his wife and two others were taken hostage on 13th October 2017.

One of those captured, 57-year-old Ian Squire from Shepperton in Surrey, was killed.

Mr Donovan told ITV News: “That is the very core of Christianity; love and forgiveness. So, it would be hypocritical to say I would do anything else.

“That’s not a forced thing. It’s genuine. I have compassion for those men. Absolutely.”

David Donovan, his wife Shirley and their New Foundations charity colleague Alanna Carson were freed 22 days after they were captured in Niger Delta state.

Their release followed negotiations by Nigerian authorities.

Referring to Mr Shepperton’s death, he said: “I’m a human being and when you see your best friend killed, there is an aspect of yourself that rises up [in] anger, fury and outrage.”

David and Shirley Donovan thanked those who had supported them during their ordeal, at an event held in a local church last month.

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