Côte d’Ivoire: Lebanese national kidnapped in Abidjan May 13

Event

On Monday, May 13, four unidentified armed men abducted a Lebanese national in the Abobo neighborhood in Abidjan at approximately 21:00 (local time). The assailants were reportedly waiting for the victim by his parked car outside his bakery, before forcing him into his car using guns and firing gunshots in the air. The police later found the car in the town of Agboville, located approximately 80 km (49 mi) north of Abidjan, but the victim is still missing. Authorities from both Lebanon and Côte d'Ivoire have launched an investigation into the kidnapping.

Context

The Lebanese community in Côte d'Ivoire is the largest Lebanese diaspora community in West Africa. In recent years, such kidnappings - notably for ransom - targeting Lebanese nationals in Côte d'Ivoire have increased.

Advice

Individuals in Côte d'Ivoire are advised to monitor developments to the security situation and remain vigilant for criminal activity.