The Poorest Rich Country

Kidnapping for Ransom (KR) is a little known, multibillion-dollar business based upon fear and the threat of violence. It is mainly publicized from the point of view of the hostage-takers or victims and rarely from the point of view of the individuals who rescue people that find themselves in dangerous situations around the world. According to the U.S. State Department, sixty percent of overseas kidnappings of U.S. citizens goes unreported. I think the number is much higher. The number of local nationals victimized by this horrible crime is enormous. I know a little bit about this business because I ran the Mexico City office for a company that specializes in KR. During the year I was posted to Mexico City there were about 100,000 targeted and express kidnappings in that city alone, most local natinonals. We only managed the cases for victims that could afford our services. "As Isaac told you, my wife and children have been kidnapped in Nigeria. Can you save them?" "Is this a kidnapping for ransom, or for revenge…, or for some other reason?" I asked. I watched his eyes closely to see if he understood what I was asking him. There was none. He was a big man, belly bursting with years of eating pounded yam. His facial features were large in the extreme and his bulging coal-black eyes were menacing. To most people he was a frightening human form, intimidating in appearance and manner, which was one of the reasons he was so damned rich. But I fear no man.