Security chief shot dead in Ivory Coast

A European Commission official was murdered at his home in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast on Tuesday night (6 February).

Michel Niaucel, of French nationality, died of bullet wounds at his home in the city’s central business district, Plateau. His wife and 13-year-old daughter, who were both present at the time of the attack, were unharmed.

Commission officials said the motive for the attack remained unclear. Initial reports indicate that Niaucel was shot with his own firearm, but suicide appears to have been ruled out. The homes of Commission officials in the city are guarded but Niaucel’s house showed no sign of forced entry.

The 53-year-old was based at the Commission’s delegation in Ivory Coast’s principal city and was in charge of ensuring the security of all his colleagues at the delegation as well as the security of other missions in West Africa.

Niaucel joined the Commission delegation four years ago, having previously been a commander in the French Gendarmerie. Commission colleagues described him as "warm and friendly".

Sources in Abidjan said the local police, the French embassy, the Commission and the security services were now investigating the incident.

It was the second incident in the last six months of a Commission official serving abroad being killed.

On 17 September, Alessandro Missir di Lusignano, 39, and his wife Arianne Lagasse de Locht, 35, were killed at their home in the Moroccan capital Rabat. The couple had four young children.

A European Commission official was murdered at his home in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast on Tuesday night (6 February).