Niger-warning

The Department of State continues to warn us citizens to the risks of travel to Niger and asks urges extreme caution because of the kidnapping threat increased against Westerners. Al-Qaida in the lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), a terrorist group, continues its attempts at abduction of Westerners, including Americans, in Niger and succeeded in the removal of the Europeans in the region. On 7 January, two French nationals have been kidnapped in the capital city of Niamey. They were found dead less than 24 hours later, after a rescue attempt by forces French military and Niger. In September 2010, seven people, including five French citizens of Togolese nationality and a Malagasy citizen, were abducted by AQIM of the mining town of the North of Arlit. All are still being held hostage by AQIM. April 2010, a French citizen and his Algerian driver were abducted. The Algerian was released. AQIM claimed killing attempted to French citizens in retaliation for the July rescue operation conducted by the Mauritanian military and French. In November 2009, heavily armed individuals attempted to remove officials from the Embassy of the United States in Tahoua. Because of these threats to the current security and taking into account of the incident on 7 January, the Embassy of United States in Niamey has strengthened its security posture and temporarily suspends travel outside Niamey authorities American Government until further notice. Staff assigned to the embassy official is observing a curfew from 8: 00 to 6: 00 in the morning and to avoid large public demonstrations. The Embassy urged all citizens of the United States in Niger to increase their vigilance. Although the Government of the United States puts the priority on the safe recovery of the kidnapped Americans, it is the policy of the United States does step to make concessions to the kidnappers. You can stay in touch and get updated Embassy web site of the Embassy of the United States in the Niger. You can also get the global site updates the Office of the U.S. Department of Consular Affairs Web State where you can find caution in today's world, travel warnings, country-specific information and travel alerts, and our Twitter and Facebook accounts. If you have not access to the internet, we have a call centre for updates - 1-888-407-4747 without charge to the United States and the Canada or the Canada and the United States on a regular line toll free at 1-202-501-4444. These figures are available from 8: 00 to 20: 00 Eastern time, Monday to Friday (except Federal holidays). If you live in or travel to Niger, take the time to tell us your travel in entering the Smart Traveler registration program (step - https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/). If you register, we can keep up with important security update and security announcements. It will also help your friends and your family to contact you in an emergency. You must remember to keep all your information for the step to update. It is important the registration or the update of the information to include your current telephone number and your current email address where to reach you in an emergency. The Embassy of the United States in Niamey (http://niamey.usembassy.gov/) is located on the street of embassies, Tel. (227) 20-72-26-61. Embassy fax number is (227) 20-73-31-67 and (227) 20-72-31-46 .the after hours emergency number is Tel. (227) 20-72-31-41. Ask to speak to the service agent.