US orders non-emergency employees to leave Niger due to 'safety risks'

WASHINGTON

The US State Department on Friday ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave Niger due to "safety risks."

"The U.S. government cannot offer routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Niamey due to safety risks. Do not travel to Niger for any reason," it said in a travel advisory, citing heightened risks from crime, civil unrest, terrorism, health concerns and kidnapping.

It urged US government employees working in Niger to travel in armored vehicles for all movements, and observe a mandatory curfew.

Niger is facing escalating insecurity from terror groups like JNIM and ISIS (Daesh), with persistent attacks, civilian casualties and displacement primarily concentrated in the western regions.