I think it is absolutely unconscionable that the helicopter operators & oil companies do not take the security situation seriously. There are companies out there like Blackwater in the USA & Combat Solutions in South Africa that could provide excellent & professional security. Most of the criminals engaging in these kidnappings for ransoms have I.Q.’s consistent with the magazine capacity of their weapons. Human life is meaningless to them. If they were foolish enough to try to raid a compound protected by one of the above companies, if they survived, the word would quickly spread to avoid messing with them.
The employees there also need to view the situation realistically. If the companies refuse to provide adequate protection, seek employment elsewhere. Being alive & unemployed is better than being employed & held hostage or murdered.
Maybe when all their aircraft are sitting idle, the security situation will be taken seriously. Yes, they would cost money but the cost is well within the oil companies’ ability to pay. A human life cannot be replaced.