MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Professional hostage negotiator describes bringing ‘lucrative targets’ home

Feb 26, 2015, 9:28 AM | Updated: 11:18 am

British security firm TerraFirma Risk Management says there’s a good chance Phyllis Sortor, a...

British security firm TerraFirma Risk Management says there's a good chance Phyllis Sortor, abducted in Nigeria, will be returned safely to her family. (Vimeo screengrab)

(Vimeo screengrab)

It’s been three days since local missionary Phyllis Sortor was abducted from a school where she taught in Nigeria. Kidnappers have demanded a $300,000 ransom for her return.

While it’s impossible to put a dollar value on human life, it’s a calculation the British security firm Terra Firma Risk Management knows well.

“We would advise what’s called the ‘going rate’ for the ransom,” said a Terra Firma representative who asked to remain nameless. “It’s an amount of money that would get the hostage back safely, but would not mean that they or any others like them would be seen as really lucrative targets.”

Terra Firma is called in to conduct hostage negotiations across the globe. Certain topics in our conversation were off-limits out of an abundance of caution for Sortor and future kidnap victims.

Unfortunately, abductions like the Seattle missionary’s are all too common in Central and Southern Nigeria. The representative estimated there is at least one kidnapping per day in the region.

During the first 24 to 48 hours after an attack, abductors are moving the hostage to a secure place. The first concern for prisoners is not gunfire, but hygiene and diseases like dengue and malaria.

Terra Firma’s spokesman believes Sortor’s treatment and safety during captivity depends on the type of group that has taken her.

“There are good and bad, so to speak,” he said. “Particularly with a woman, it’s quite unlikely that she would be assaulted. It’s not impossible, I’m afraid. But it’s unlikely.”

He said this is less about traditional Muslim values and more about preserving the business model.

“If they want to get some money for Phyllis, then they know they have to treat her reasonably well.”

Though the Islamist group Boko Haram has been waging a campaign of kidnapping in Northern Nigeria, he believes Sortor’s abduction is probably the work of a criminal gang, not the infamous terrorist organization.

This bodes well for the speed of negotiations.

“Criminal kidnaps tend to be a bit quicker to be resolved,” he said. “But on the other hand, the criminals quite often are not very professional, and therefore their levels of discipline and how they look after the captive aren’t always as good as you would hope.”

In Sortor’s case, men claiming to be the kidnappers called a friend about 24 hours after she was taken from the Hope Academy in Kogi State.

Terra Firma’s spokesman said this is the point when negotiations can begin. Paying a ransom is not the preferred option. They explore every other deal or concession possible before agreeing to a cash payment.

However, in Nigeria, where hostage-taking is big business, it’s very difficult to secure victims’ release without ransom.

These conversations require a delicate balance. Negotiators like Terra Firma must hold the line, assuring abductors they aren’t going to get any more than the family or the company has decided to give.

“Slowly, slowly convincing them that asking for more just isn’t going to work. It’s going to be a waste of time. It’s going to put them in more danger if they continue to ask for something they’re just not going to get,” he described.

“Eventually, hopefully, you convince them that what’s on the table is all they’re going to get. And you get an agreement.”

In Nigeria, Terra Firma’s spokesman said criminal kidnapping can sometimes be resolved in a matter of weeks. But these scenarios have been known to draw out for months or even years.

There’s good reason the process can’t be rushed.

“If the kidnappers clearly see that you want to finish it quickly, they will go for a higher price,” he said.

During this time, hostage-takers will sometimes go dark, cutting off all contact.

“That could be because of security considerations on their side, or it could be a pressure tactic,” he said. “It’s a very difficult period, if you have a long silence. And really you just have to bear it and be ready if the kidnappers break the silence, and to try to push things along as best you can.”

Things may go bad at this stage because both parties can’t agree on a price. But the Terra Firma spokesman said mistakes and disasters are more likely due to changing conditions on the ground.

“In other words, a hostage might try to escape and they get hurt doing that, or the kidnappers lose their discipline and the hostage gets hurt.”

After an agreement is reached, cold hard cash will be delivered to an appointed place. This can also be highly risky because prisoners are not usually released at the same time or place. Once the money is paid, the waiting game begins.

“If you’ve had a strong negotiation where the kidnappers believe that actually there isn’t any more money to come out, however much they pressure you, there’s a good chance you will get the hostage.”

The Terra Firma contact said this wait can stretch into hours, days, or weeks before a safe return.

“It’s a pretty nail-biting time,” he said.

The job of a hostage negotiator is a highly stressful tight-rope act, balancing the safety of kidnap victims and the best interests of future negotiations.

Yet it’s far from a Hollywood movie. This hostage negotiator explained the primary goal is to remove drama from the proceedings and present an orderly framework for talks. This also serves to settle the nerves of abductors.

“They’re often very agitated. They’re worried, and often quite new to it. They’re calmed by the sort of attitude of normality and professionalism that companies like ours bring.”

This expert believes if Sortor is being held by one of the numerous Nigerian criminal groups who use kidnapping as a money-making operation, there’s reason to be optimistic.

“I think negotiation is entirely possible. And if the church and the family get good advice, there’s every chance for a safe resolution.”

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

1 hour ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

5 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

7 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

8 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

8 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

11 hours ago

Professional hostage negotiator describes bringing ‘lucrative targets’ home