R 121430Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0725
INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS COTONOU 000019 
 
 
DEPT FOR DSS/OSAC, DS/IP/AF, AF/W 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC AMGT APER BN
SUBJECT: 2009 Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Crime and 
Safety Report, Benin 
 
REF: 08 STATE 132056 
 
The following paragraphs are keyed to the format detailed in 
Reftel. 
 
¶1. Overall Crime and Safety Situation: 
 
The overall crime rate remained high in Benin during 2008. 
Petty crime is common in all parts of the country, and violent crime 
such as armed robberies, murder, and car-jacking are common as well. 
All of these types of crime occur at a high rate nationwide.  Armed 
robberies are usually committed at knife or machete point, but 
frequently handguns are used by criminals.  One recent crime trend 
has been the use of home made hunting weapons during the commission 
of crime.  Automatic AK-47 style weapons have been used during 
car-jacking or organized robberies of businesses and armored cars. 
During 2008, Beninese criminal and car-jacking gangs continued to 
display the ability to pre-plan their attacks and occasionally 
perform surveillance of their intended victims.  The remote 
stretches of Benin's highways are the most common areas for 
car-jacking late at night.  Car-jacking gangs and highway bandits 
are known to set-up barricades or roadblocks with fallen trees in 
these areas.  Residential break-ins occurred at a low rate in 2008 
and did not pose as great a concern as street crime.  Precautions 
against residential crime (alarm systems, residential night guards, 
window grilles, and security lighting with back-up power) are 
recommended. 
 
In 2008, Cotonou had one of its most violent bank robberies in 
recent memory.  There were two banks located in the Dantokpa Market 
which were robbed by a large number of heavily armed criminals.  The 
criminals used indiscriminate deadly force to accomplish their goals 
which resulted in a number of deaths and casualties of police and 
innocent bystanders. 
 
Travelers are advised to avoid driving outside the city after dark, 
walking around the city after dark, and always to keep car doors 
locked and windows rolled up. Cotonou's beaches should be avoided 
due to a high rate of robberies and lack of a police presence.  The 
beach resorts outside of Cotonou are generally safe but experience 
occasional crime.  Travelers are advised to stay near the resorts 
and not wander into isolated areas. 
 
Weapons and drug trafficking through Benin remains common, with more 
and more weapons and drugs remaining in the country. Crime is 
expected to remain at a high level and possibly increase due to high 
poverty levels and poor economic conditions. 
 
During 2008, Benin experienced an even greater increase in 
Nigerian-style fraud involving various old forms of 419 advance-fee 
fraud and many new forms of Internet based fraud.  Nigerian 
nationals, often residing in Nigeria but attempting to pass 
themselves off as residing in Benin usually commit these fraud 
schemes.  Beninese criminals are becoming involved at a higher rate 
as well. Post continues to work closely with the local authorities 
to identify and arrest those responsible for this type of fraud when 
possible, but doing so is typically impossible and the majority of 
these cases are unresolved. One of the newer scams is the "Basic 
Travel Allowance" scam where a male or female attempts to have money 
sent to them from an unwitting person located outside of Western 
Africa so they can obtain a visa to travel to the innocent persons 
location.  The scammers' claim that a basic travel allowance is 
required so that the US Embassy can issue a visa is false.  In 
general, American citizens receiving an email stating that they have 
been chosen to receive a large sum of money or requesting that money 
be sent to some unknown person for any purpose should not answer the 
email. Instead, contact your local Secrt Service Office in the USA 
for further direction.  There has been an increasing trend of 
criminals to use the internet to find American companies and place 
orders to be imported into Benin.  The criminals ask for a fee up 
front.  Several small businesses have lost money in such schemes. 
If a U.S. company exports to Benin, there is no fee expected to be 
paid up front.  Also, use of personal credit cards should be avoided 
in Benin due to the high rate of fraud. 
 
¶2. Political Violence: 
 
In March 2006, Benin held Presidential elections and inaugurated 
President Boni Yayi in April 2006.  The elections were peaceful, 
transparent, and fair.  In March 2007, Benin held nationwide 
parliamentary elections which were also without incident and 
considered to be fair.  There are no known indigenous groups in 
Benin opposed to the current government, and no known indigenous 
terrorist groups. 
 
There are no known anti-American terrorist groups present in Benin. 
There is the possibility for transnational terrorism crossing into 
Benin due to the very porous borders.  Organized crime groups from 
Togo, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso involved in the transshipment of 
stolen cars and drugs are present in Benin, presumably because of 
the lack of port and border security.  Beninese gangs are becoming 
more common and better organized as well.  In late December 2006, 
six Beninese car-jackers escaped from the Cotonou City Prison with 
relative ease.  One of the escapees had previously been arrested for 
leading the largest car-jacking ring in Benin.  The man is also 
suspected to have ties to Nigerian and Togolese organized crime 
gangs. 
 
Protests and demonstrations over economic conditions and local 
politics occur on an occasional basis in Benin and have potential 
for violence by the protestors and/or police.  For this reason, all 
protests should be avoided in Benin, regardless of how peaceful they 
may appear. 
 
During 2008, there were no anti-American demonstrations in Benin. 
 
 
¶3. Post Specific Concerns: 
 
Earthquakes and floods are not a common occurrence in Benin.  Poorly 
maintained roads and vehicles (primarily large trucks) make 
traveling outside of Cotonou difficult and dangerous during evening 
hours.  Speeding, unpredictable driving habits, and large numbers of 
unlicensed motorcycle taxis (known as zemijans) pose additional 
driving hazards. 
 
Kidnappings are rare in Benin, especially for westerners.  General 
caution against kidnappings should be exercised in Benin such as 
maintain a high level of awareness, protecting personal information, 
using only trusted forms of transportation. 
 
Illegal drug trafficking has increased in Benin.  In August 2007, 
Benin witnessed the largest cocaine seizure in its history.  Due to 
the lack of a Benin navy and weak drug enforcement to deter drug 
traffickers, they are using the Benin beaches more often to bring 
drugs into the country and ship them elsewhere. Marijuana is present 
among the local population for consumption and is grown in the 
central part of Benin.  There are no known narco-terrorist groups or 
drug syndicates present in Benin. 
 
¶4. Police Response: 
 
Police in Benin are limited in their ability to respond to 
complaints or reports of crime from travelers due to a lack of 
equipment and training.  If a foreigner is the victim of a crime, it 
is necessary to go in person to the nearest police station.  Since 
French is the official language of Benin, it is important to have a 
French speaker with you when you go to the police station. 
Americans are advised to contact the US Embassy American Citizen 
Services Section for assistance. 
 
Police patrols are generally lacking and response to crime is often 
handled by military gendarmes. Some pockets of the police, such as 
the Financial Crimes Police, have received outside training and 
assistance and are capable of conducting investigations and making 
arrests. 
 
There have been no known incidents of foreigners being harassed or 
unfairly detained by Beninese Police.  However, westerners arrested 
and placed in prison often face difficulties in contacting help, and 
the prisons are poorly maintained, unsafe, overcrowded and poorly 
operated.  American citizens are advised to contact the US Embassy 
American Citizen Services Section to report any incidents of Police 
detention or harassment.  The US Embassy's phone number and local 
police telephone numbers are as follows: 
 
US Embassy: 229 (Country Code) 21-30-06-50 
                               21-30-05-13 
Emergency Police:          117 
Fire Department/Ambulance: 118 
 
Central Police Cotonou: 229 (Country Code) 21-30-30-25 
                                           21-30-20-11 
 
¶5. Medical Response: 
 
Health Care in Benin is not up to western standards. Most hospitals 
and medical clinics do not have the supplies and/or the necessary 
drugs for treating major illnesses and injuries. The Embassy does 
not make referrals; however, it can provide a list of local medical 
facilities that enjoy a good reputation. 
 
All visitors should carry the appropriate amount of medication with 
them during their travel to Benin as many prescription medications 
are not available. Valid medical insurance is recommended as well, 
however most medical facilities require payment in cash at time of 
discharge. 
 
¶6. Travel precautions - tips on how to avoid becoming a victim: 
 
Upon arrival in Benin, it is recommended to register with the 
Embassy if you intend to stay for an extended period of time. 
 
Photography: 
 
Photographing any Government building or military installation in 
Benin is strictly prohibited. It is recommended that visitors 
refrain from taking pictures of anything other than the local 
scenery and Beninese citizens who have given their permission. 
Travelers are also discouraged from displaying cameras or camcorders 
due to the prevalence of street crime. 
 
Visitors caught taking inappropriate photographs risk 
arrest/detention and will have their camera and film confiscated by 
Beninese Police or Military Gendarmes. 
 
Public Transportation: 
 
Travelers are advised to exercise caution when using public taxis 
and the use of zemijans (motorcycle taxis) should be avoided if 
possible for safety reasons.  If a motorcycle taxi is used, a helmet 
should always be worn.  Automobile taxis are recommended.  When 
using a taxi, settle on a price before getting in, and make sure 
that the taxi is clearly marked as such.  Never share a taxi with 
unknown persons.  This is often the pretense for a robbery. 
 
Driving around Benin: 
 
While driving in Benin, visitors should keep their windows rolled up 
and the doors locked at all times. A high rate of caution should be 
exercised while stopped at intersections, and street vendors should 
not be patronized while riding in a vehicle.  Many Beninese drivers 
do not obey traffic laws or traffic signs; this is especially true 
of the zemijans. Therefore, it is important that visitors drive 
defensively at all times. Drivers should always exercise patience 
and wear their seat belts. In light of the increased numbers of 
car-jackings in and around Benin, visitors should not drive outside 
the city after dark.  In addition, extreme care should be taken when 
driving inside the city after dark.  Should a visitor become the 
victim of a car-jacking, resisting is extremely dangerous.  Most 
car-jackers are well armed and willing to use their weapon. Victims 
who have been injured or killed were reportedly incompliant with the 
assailant's demands. 
 
Vehicle Accidents: 
 
By law, drivers involved in an accident are required to leave their 
vehicle in place and notify the National Police. The Police will be 
dispatched to the scene to write up an accident report. However, 
large crowds form quickly in Benin. While most people are just 
curious onlookers, the driver should be aware of the crowd's mood 
and remain inside their vehicle. If the crowd starts to become 
hostile, it is recommended to depart the area and go to the nearest 
police station or to somewhere safe. 
 
Hotel Issues: 
 
As in any location overseas, visitors residing in hotels in Benin 
should never leave valuables in their rooms. Due to high rates of 
credit card fraud, pay your bill in cash, if possible.  Avoid using 
personal credit cards in Benin, if possible. Carry your passport 
with you at all times. Do not walk on the beaches in Cotonou at any 
time or around town during the early morning or late evening hours. 
If you do become a victim of crime, do not resist. Since most 
assailants carry a weapon, resisting could result in serious 
injury. 
 
Areas To Be Avoided: 
 
As mentioned previously, avoid the beaches of Cotonou due to the 
presence of criminals and a lack of Police patrols.  In Cotonou, 
avoid the area surrounding the football/soccer stadium especially 
after dark and the neighborhood surrounding the large mosque in 
Cotonou. 
 
¶7. For Further Information: 
 
For any assistance required during your stay in Benin, please 
contact the following sections at the US Embassy in Cotonou, Benin: 
 
Embassy Operator:           (229) 21-30-06-50 
Regional Security Office:   Extension 4218 
Consular Affairs:           Extension 4777 
Political/Econ:             Extension 4206 
Medical Unit:      Extension 4248 
 
¶8. Cotonou does not have an OSAC Country Council at this time. 
 
BROWN