The recent increase in kidnappings of foreigners working in unstable environments suggests that a paradigm shift may be required for how companies, media organisations and the humanitarian sector operates. One that requires an unconventional, adaptable mindset. This begins with an appreciation of the context of the local and regional human terrain an understanding how to defeat the kidnapper’s attack cycle and imagining the least expected.
Organisations have a duty of care to ensure fresh approaches are adopted to reduce the risk of staff falling victim to what has become a tactic of asymmetric warfare by Salafi-Jihadi terrorist organisations and a lucrative industry for kidnapping gangs in other parts of the world.
Here are a few key factors to consider:
- Time spent in-country does not insulate staff from the threats posed by kidnapping and terrorist groups.
- Kidnappings are rarely the result of being in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time.’
- Most kidnappings occur on the road and the majority of those occur when the victim is returning or travelling along the same route at the same time.
- Armed security escorts can make you more vulnerable to attack and reduce your situational awareness.
- Your social media profile is often used to track your movements and collect information to plan an attack.
The local and regional context is also important. It may be that a misunderstanding or a change in the socio-economic drivers outside the organisation’s gate has shifted.
A challenge for many organisations is that they tend to put security in the same basket as environment, health and safety when perhaps it is better integrated with community engagement. This was a key lesson from investigation into the In Amenas Attack in Alegeria that occurred in January 2013.
This approach could shape the development a community web of protection, acting as an early warning mechanism for developing threats. The community might not know exactly what is going to happen, but they have picked up signals that something is planned. It is about reciprocal trust.
The Attack Cycle
The attack cycle is the process kidnappers go through to identify a target, collect information (where you live, routes and time of day you travel, choke-points etc) and execute the kidnapping and escape. It also includes the exploitation phase. That is, where the kidnappers make ransom demands or parade the victim in front of Youtube to threaten Governments, if the kidnapping is politically or ideologically motivated.
If you understand how kidnappers plan their attack you can employ strategies and tactics to defeat them, and maintain control of your operating environment…Click HERE to find out more about this article
