Safety and Security

Political rallies and social protests may occur spontaneously in Libreville. Even gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational or violent. Be aware of your surroundings and personal security at all times. Avoid large gatherings, protests, demonstrations, and any other event where crowds congregate.

There have been instances of tanker hijackings in the Gulf of Guinea, including one incident in July 2013 where a tanker was hijacked off the coast of Gabon.

In the event of a fire, dial 18 in Libreville. In Port Gentil, dial 07-63-93-63 or 01-56-27-75.

Crime: Petty theft is common. Violent crime is more common in urban areas. We have received reports of armed robberies in homes, restaurants, and at beaches frequented by foreigners. Police response time is often slow.

If driving in Libreville, take extra precautions against carjacking and theft. Keep car windows up, doors locked, and valuables out of view. Even in daylight, thieves may open unlocked vehicle doors to snatch valuables. We recommend against riding in a taxi alone or late at night. Carry identification at all times to minimize the risk of harassment at police checkpoints.

Avoid poorly lit streets and unfamiliar areas of the city, especially at night. Avoid beaches after dusk. Carry a minimal amount of cash and avoid wearing flashy or expensive jewelry, especially in markets and restaurants. In a robbery or carjacking, comply with the attacker to avoid injury.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police and contact the U.S. Embassy at + (241) 01-45-71-00. The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line to reach the police is 177 (not available on all cell phones). For the police, call 01-76-55-85 in Libreville and 01-55-29-12 (Central Police Station) or 07-36-22-25 in Port Gentil. Operators often only speak French.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical
• support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

For further information:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the State Department's travel website for Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 
• See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.