Abduction of a Swiss National in Agadez

Emergency Meeting Held by Nigerien Authorities

On Monday, 14 April 2025, the Governor of the Agadez region, Mr. Ibra Boulama Issa, chaired an extraordinary session of the Regional Security Council (RSC) following the abduction of Mrs. Claudia Abbt, a 67-year-old Swiss national married to a Nigerien citizen. The incident occurred during the night of 13 to 14 April at her residence in the Dagamanet 2 district of Agadez.

Mrs. Abbt, who had been residing in the region for several years, had previously lived in Algeria, where she worked in the tourism sector before settling in Niger. Deeply involved in the local social and cultural life, she founded an organization dedicated to supporting artisans and promoting local arts. She also co-managed a travel agency based in Tamanrasset, Algeria.

The meeting of the RSC aimed to assess the current security situation, analyze the circumstances surrounding the abduction, and coordinate appropriate response measures, according to a statement from the Agadez Governorate. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) stated via the social media platform X that the Swiss Embassy in Niamey is in close contact with local authorities and that clarification efforts are ongoing.

This incident comes three months after the abduction of Ms. Eva Gretzmacher, an Austrian national, who was kidnapped in similar conditions in Agadez on 11 January 2025. The recurrence of such events raises serious concerns regarding the safety of foreign nationals engaged in social and cultural initiatives in the region.