Mike Hill, the Briton whose daughter, Margaret, was kidnapped by militants in July, is dead.
Mr. Hill, who worked with Lonestar Drilling, a sub contractor to Shell Petroleum Development Corporation, had been scheduled to travel abroad for medical attention on a kidney related illness before his daughter was kidnapped.
This, THISDAY learnt, forced him to the postpone the trip. His doctor was also said to have insisted that he should finish his treatment in Nigeria before travelling abroad.
Mr Hill reportedly died yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Arrangements are being made for his funeral service.
The death of Mr Hill was confirmed by the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Felix Ogbaudu.
His daughter, Margaret was snatched by militants on July 5, 2007 near station road on her way to Edu Care International School in D-Line Port Harcourt. They took the girl by breaking the side glass of the Isuzu jeep in which she was being taken to school, stabbed the driver and took her away.
They later contacted Mrs. Oluchi Hill, mother of Magaret to demand an unspecified sum of money before finally asking her to swap the husband with the three year old girl.
Mrs. Hill said while her husband was willing to exchange himself with the freedom of his daughter, security operatives advised him against it, taking into consideration the state of his health.
However, on July 8, she was freed and dropped in a lonely spot in Ogbakiri, Emuoha Local Government Area of the State from where the State Security Services (SSS) collected her and handed her over to the parents.
A note from Chief
An old friend to many of us – Mike was well known, much loved and respected by many.
His wife and daughter are in my thoughts and prayers. He will not be forgetten.