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As in all developing countries with high income inequality, security in Côte d’Ivoire, and particularly in Abidjan, can be a cause for concern. That said, the level of security in Côte d’Ivoire has changed immensely since the post-election crisis of 2011. Non-violent incidents such as a purse being ripped off or pickpockets are frequently reported. At the same time, the city administration has stepped up the fight against crime, particularly in the centre of Abidjan, with the installation of CCTV cameras. Strolling around Abidjan during the day is now globally secure. At night, you should be careful, even if you are in a group. Violent hold-ups or burglaries are rare, and heavy traffic in Abidjan has led to a drop in the number of carjackings. Also beware of the phenomenon known as “microbes”. These are children in groups who tend to attack passers-by in the street.

In March 2013, a special forces unit made up of police officers, gendarmes and soldiers known as the CCDO was set up in Abidjan to improve coordination between the various security units. They patrol in armoured vehicles every day and for emergencies, you can call these numbers:

Emergency numbers 24/7

Free calls Tel: 100/111

Tel: +225 20 22 53 45 / +225 20 22 49 17

See below a list of police station in Abidjan:

Abobo

-ABOBO Commissariat du 13ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 24 39 00 90

-ABOBO Commissariat du 14ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 24 39 15 54

-ABOBO Commissariat du 15ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 24 39 05 00

-ABOBO DERRIERE RAIL Commissariat du 21ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 24 49 64 66

-ABOBO AVOCATIER Commissariat du 32 ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 24 39 93 18

-ABOBO BAOULE-BELLEVILLE Commissariat du 34ème Arrondissement

Adjamé

-ADJAME MARCHE Commissariat du 3ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 20 37 44 65

-ADJAME – 220 LOGEMENTS Commissariat du 7ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 20 37 15 91

-WILLIAMSVILLE Commissariat du 11ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 20 37 23 28

-ADJAMÉ BRACODI Commissariat du 27 ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 20 37 50 47

Attecoube

-ATTECOUBE Commissariat du 10ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 20 37 27 41

Cocody

-COCODY Commissariat du 8ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 22 44 15 91

-II PLATEAUX Commissariat du 12ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 22 41 35 05

-ANGRE Commissariat du 22ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 22 42 02 33

-RIVIERA Commissariat du 18ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 22 47 18 65

-ATTOBAN Commissariat du 30ème Arrondissement

-RIVIERA PALMERAIE Commissariat du 35ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 22 49 37 76

Koumassi

-KOUMASSI Commissariat du 6ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 21 36 14 34

-KOUMASSI CAMPEMENT Commissariat du 20ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 21 36 20 08

-KOUMASSI Commissariat du 36ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 21 36 01 33

Marcory

-MARCORY Commissariat du 9ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 21 26 78 58

-ZONE 3 Commissariat du 4ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 21 35 10 27

-MARCORY ALIODAN Commissariat du 26ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 21 26 37 44

-PERGOLA ZONE 4 Commissariat du 31ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 21 25 31 20

Plateau

-PLATEAU Commissariat du 1er Arrondissement Tel: +225 20 21 58 33

Port-Bouet-PORT-BOUËT Commissariat du 5ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 21 27 71 78

-GONZAGUEVILLE Commissariat du 24ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 21 58 68 14

-PORT-BOUËT DERRIÈRE WHARF Commissariat du 33ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 21 27 67 69

Treichville

-TREICHVILLE BIAFRA Commissariat du 29ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 21 24 95 55

-TREICHVILLE Commissariat du 2ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 21 24 17 48

Yopougon

-YOPOUGON Commissariat du 16ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 23 45 26 64

-YOPOUGON NIANGON Commissariat du 17ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 23 46 37 28

-YOPOUGON – TOITS ROUGES Commissariat du 19ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 23 45 63 60

-YOPOUGON Commissariat du 23ème Arrondissement

-MOSSIKRO Commissariat du 28 ème Arrondissement Tel: +225 23 45 96 90

Carjacking

Carjacking has been a common form of crime in Abidjan but this has substantially decreased since 2010.

The few cases that have come to light recently remind us of the possible increase in carjacking in Abidjan.

Carjacking can take place anywhere, but most of the time it takes place in big cities. It happens more often in a crowded commercial area where cars are parked and owners enter or exit parked vehicles. The majority of carjackings or attempted carjackings take place near the victim’s home. The person hijacking the vehicle wants the keys in the ignition and the car door open so that he or she can leave quickly. Carjackers tend to prefer people who are alone in their car for obvious reasons. The most common places for carjacking are car parks, shopping centres, petrol stations, car washes, grocery shops, ATMs, hotels and outside retail shops. Proximity to a motorway is a factor taken into account by carjackers when making a getaway. A dangerous but beloved place for carjackers is a crossroads with traffic lights. A carjacker will jump on another car, open your unlocked driver’s door and force you out. This type of carjacking allows a quick escape but increases the risk of being chased by other drivers. Another scheme used by carjackers is to hit your car from behind in order to get you stopped.

How can you avoid this?

Firstly, you must remember that strict application of certain safety principles is always essential.

The carjacking of a parked car depends on the driver’s attention to his surroundings. Carjackers, like street thieves, prefer the element of surprise. Most victims say they did not see their carjacker until he appeared at the door of their car. To reduce the risk of being carjacked, here is a list of important points to remember:

Always park in well-lit areas if you plan to arrive or leave after dark.
Do not park in isolated or visually obstructed areas.
If you are driving alone, do not use unattended garages.
When walking to your car, be alert to people sitting in their cars.
Be alert to people loitering in the area (handing out flyers, etc.).
If someone tries to approach you, change direction or run towards a crowded shop.
When approaching your car, look under, around and in the car. If it is safe, open the door, get in quickly and lock the doors.
Don’t be a target with your back turned when loading bags into the trunk of the car.
Make a habit of always starting your car and leaving immediately afterwards.
Teach your children to get in and out of the car quickly.
In the city, you should always drive with the doors locked and the windows rolled up.
When you are stopped in traffic jams, leave room in front so that you can manoeuvre and leave if necessary.
If you are hit in traffic, try to find out whether the accident is real or not and don’t get out of the car until you reach a petrol station or a busy place.
If you are ever confronted with an armed carjacking, do not resist.
Give up on your keys or money if he asks you without resisting.
Do not negotiate, fight or chase the thief. You can really get hurt.
If you are carjacked, call the police immediately to report the crime and give as much detailed information as possible.

Security at home

For the security of your home, it is possible to opt for a gated community and secure or encircled flats. Most people find that paying close attention to the security perimeter of the house minimises their chance of becoming a target for burglary. This means making sure there is no dense vegetation near the house that could allow thieves to hide there, and making sure you have outdoor lighting. Some people also opt for a motion detector with lights.

Road safety in Côte d’Ivoire

While roads in Abidjan are generally safe and well patrolled, there are a number of risk areas outside the capital. These include roads along the Liberian border and in the north-central part of the country where bandits have taken advantage of the lack of a strong police presence. The best way is to travel in a convoy with at least 2 cars and avoid travelling at night or before dawn. Security checkpoints are relatively common, especially towards the Zone of Confidence, the ceasefire line between north and south, and in the suburbs of major cities. Soldiers may ask for your documents. If this happens, stay calm and give your documents.