Crime in Togo

Crime risks in Togo vary by place and situation. In Lomé and other urban areas, theft, pickpocketing, purse-snatching, robbery, armed attacks, carjacking, vehicle break-ins and home invasion occur around beaches, the seafront, markets and crowded places during both daytime and nighttime. The northern Savanes region, especially near the Burkina Faso border and north of Kande, has a higher risk of armed violence and kidnapping. Night travel outside Lomé carries additional risk, and local police resources are more limited outside urban areas. There is no reliable nationwide crime prevalence figure because available data are incomplete and underreporting is substantial. Organized and cross-border crime includes human trafficking, smuggling, stolen vehicles, drug crime and maritime crime, with international cooperation involving INTERPOL National Central Bureau Lomé. For immediate danger, call Police secours on 117, a 24-hour toll-free number, or the Gendarmerie Nationale on 172. The Ministry of Security and Civil Protection also operates call centre 1014. The nearest Commissariat or Brigade can receive a report; provide the place and time, describe the event and suspects, identify witnesses and preserve relevant evidence. Ask for a copy of the procès-verbal, the police record of the complaint. Police reports are generally prepared in French, and translation may be available at the user's cost. A single nationwide deadline for ordinary complaints and a uniform processing time are not centrally published, so the responsible station should confirm the applicable procedure. France Diplomatie also lists 161 as an additional mobile emergency contact for its users. Basic precautions reduce exposure to common offences. Avoid walking alone at night, beaches and the seafront after dark, and displaying valuables or large amounts of cash. Keep bags closed and close to the body, secure doors and windows, and lock vehicles. Outside Lomé, avoid intercity travel at night where possible. If another driver stages a traffic accident, remain in the vehicle or move to a safer public place rather than getting out to accept spontaneous help. Leave crowds and demonstrations when tensions rise, follow instructions at checkpoints and report unofficial roadblocks through an appropriate authority. Scams commonly use romance or friendship, business, employment, investment, advance-fee and fake-authority stories. Online criminals also use phishing, card and bank fraud, identity theft, fake shops, false transfer orders, ransomware, online extortion and sextortion. Do not share one-time codes, PINs or passwords, use two-factor authentication, check bank and card activity, and preserve messages, URLs, account details and payment records. Do not pay a sextortion demand. Report cyber incidents to CERT.tg, the incident-response service operated by Cyber Defense Africa, through its online form, incidents@cert.tg, +228 22 53 59 80 or +228 70 54 93 25. ANCy, Togo's national cyber-security institution, and CERT.tg provide continuous cyber-incident response, but cybercrime often crosses borders and remains substantially underreported. Victims of gender-based violence can seek medical care, evidence preservation, psychological support, legal assistance and referral to police. The One Stop Center (OSC) at Centre Médico-social Adidogomé in Lomé offers confidential and free services. An OSC in Dapaong, operating since 2025, also provides free medical, psychological and legal assistance together with protection or security referrals. Other options include the GBV Listening Centre in Lomé at +228 70 16 76 91, Akofa at +228 93 96 89 89 through SOS, information and assistance channels, a police station, a public hospital or an OSC. Medical and forensic evidence should be collected as soon as possible; a period of less than 72 hours is recommended for forensic preservation where relevant. Avoid washing and keep clothing, messages and other evidence. Tell the police about drugging, coercion, threats or sexual violence. Services outside the named centres are not uniformly documented as free nationwide. Children can receive permanent, free protection support through Allô 1011 for violence, abuse, exploitation and trafficking. CROPESDI works with the Ministry of Social Action and UNICEF, and 8250 receives reports of violence and sexual violence linked to schools. Documented risks include false work or training offers, child trafficking, sexual exploitation and violence at home or school. Published figures such as 91.8% of children aged 1 to 14 experiencing violent discipline in 2017, 3.8% of women aged 18 to 29 reporting sexual violence in childhood, and 25% of women aged 20 to 24 marrying before age 18 are historical indicators, not current crime rates. Children in conflict with the law may have diversion or non-custodial protection pathways; detailed criminal-law rules belong to the criminal-law framework rather than this safety overview. A person who alleges misconduct by security forces can use the Service Public denunciation channel online. The channel is free and confidential, and generally requires the complainant to be at least 18, live in Togo or belong to the diaspora, identify themselves and provide supporting evidence. The Commission Nationale des Droits de l'Homme (CNDH), Togo's national human-rights commission, can receive complaints from victims, third parties or an OSC in writing, orally or by email, with an emergency telephone channel. CNDH complaints are not anonymous and are not handled in parallel when the same matter is already before a court. Regional CNDH antennas operate in Kpalimé, Atakpamé, Sokodé, Kara and Dapaong. Families, neighbours, traditional or religious leaders and local comités de veille also contribute to informal prevention, but their assistance does not replace a police report, medical care or a formal complaint.