WASHINGTON: The United States on Tuesday urged Americans to avoid traveling to northern Niger as westerners risk being abducted by an Islamist group linked to Al-Qaeda.
"The Department of State warns US citizens of the risks of travel to Niger and recommends against all travel to the north of the country due to kidnapping threats against westerners," it said in a statement.
The northern region lies between Algeria and Libya.
It said Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which Washington lists as a terrorist group, "continues its attempts to kidnap Westerners, including US citizens in Niger," it said.
It recalled that AQIM-linked gunmen on April 20 kidnapped a French national.
No group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, but sources close to the investigation told AFP AQIM was responsible.
"In November 2009, heavily armed individuals attempted to kidnap US embassy officials in Tahoua," the State Department said.
"Due to these ongoing security threats, Embassy Niamey continues to restrict the travel of US government employees and official visitors in areas north of Niamey," it said.
It warned "US citizens to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant."
"Although the US government places the highest priority on the safe recovery of kidnapped US citizens, it is US policy not to make concessions to kidnappers," the State Department statement said.
