Dantokpa Security Measures

Dantokpa Market incident, November 26, 2008

Attention all American citizens:

The U.S. Embassy is issuing this message due to security concerns.  We strongly advise that American citizens consider carefully before visiting the Dantokpa Market in Cotonou during hours of darkness.  Specifically, we advise against visits to Dantokpa Market between 6PM and 7AM due to the increased risk of violent crime.

 

At approximately 7:30 PM on November 21st, approximately 30 bandits armed with machine guns, grenades, and dynamite attacked the Dantokpa Market.  The attackers forced their way into two banks at the location and dynamited security vaults, while other members of the gang attacked random targets in the area as a distraction.  The attack continued for approximately an hour before the gunmen fled. 

 

The U.S. Embassy in Cotonou is located at Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, 01 BP 2012.  The telephone number is (229) 21-30-06-50 and the fax is (229) 21-30-06-70.  The after-hours telephone number is (229) 90-91-35-11 and the consular section email is ConsularCotono@state.gov.  You can obtain updated information by contacting the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou at http://cotonou.usembassy.gov/american_info.html, or by calling the consular section at (229) 21-30-06-50.

 

The Department of State also shares information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.  In addition, U.S. citizens can obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. or Canada, or from other countries on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern time, Monday to Friday (except U.S. holidays).