Haitian Police Retake National Stadium From Gangs After Two Years
Haitian security forces have recaptured the country's main national stadium from gangs that controlled it for two years, while authorities in Iraq, Nigeria and the UAE are separately pursuing measures against oil smuggling, kidnapping and illicit gold trade.
Haitian Forces Retake National Stadium
Haitian security forces regained control on November 12 of the country's main stadium that had been under gang control for two years. [4] The Haitian National Police stated that it had taken full control of the venue with the Task Force, a private security group serving the government. [4] After regaining the site, the police left the stadium under the guard of Salvadoran soldiers. [4] The two-year period of gang control had forced the national football team to play elsewhere. [4]
Iraq Deploys New Unit Against Oil Smuggling
Iraq has established a special security force to combat oil smuggling and protect pipelines. [1] The new unit is assigned to patrol southern desert areas. [1] At the same time, authorities are investigating suspected fuel smuggling in Babil province. [1]
Nigerian Police Arrest Aunt in Child Kidnapping
Zamfara State Police arrested 26-year-old Saadiya Sahabi for abducting her three-year-old niece and demanding a N10m ransom. [2] The child, Nabila Abdulganiyu, was rescued unharmed on November 10 2026 after intelligence-led operations. [2] The suspect, who is the younger sister of the victim’s father, was arrested at Bela District, Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. [2] The victim’s father reported the abduction to detectives attached to the State Intelligence Department on October 30, two days after the child was taken. [2] During interrogation, the suspect confessed to her involvement in the crime. [2] The rescued child was taken for medical examination and, after necessary assessment, was formally reunited with her parents on 12th November 2026. [2] The Commissioner of Police commended the State Intelligence Department operatives for their professionalism, dedication and effective application of intelligence-led policing. [2] Investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances and identify other people who might have participated. [2]
UAE Remains Hub for Conflict Gold
The United Arab Emirates imported at least 591 tonnes of illicit gold in 2024. [3] The UAE remains the primary destination for smuggled and conflict gold from Sudan, Yemen, Russia and multiple African nations. [3] This status persists despite 2023 due-diligence legislation. [3] In 2024 the UAE imported at least 174.5 tonnes of gold from Russia directly and indirectly via Armenia, Yemen and Sudan directly and indirectly. [3] The entire volume from these three countries can be considered conflict gold. [3] Swissaid reports that the due diligence requirements for gold refineries that came into force in 2023 have failed to stem the inflow of smuggled African gold. [3] On the contrary, the figures point to a slight increase in these flows. [3]
Scale of African Gold Flows to Dubai
Over 95 percent of declared gold exports from Sudan, Niger, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Libya, Togo and Cameroon ultimately reached the UAE. [3] More than half of UAE gold imports in 2024 and 2025 originated from African countries. [3] Around 70 percent of the gold extracted in Africa was shipped to the UAE in 2024. [3] Gold smuggled out of Africa and officially imported into the UAE amounted to 413 tonnes in 2024. [3] Dubai serves as the bridge between gold-producing and gold-consuming countries, with more than 2,500 tonnes of smuggled gold valued at over $115bn leaving Africa for the Emirates between 2012 and 2022. [3] Production of gold in Sudan is dominated up to 85 or 90 percent by artisanal miners. [3] The final destination for the gold is still the UAE, especially the gold market in Dubai. [3]
What to watch next: Iraq authorities continue investigating suspected fuel smuggling in Babil province while the new security unit patrols southern desert areas. [1] Zamfara State Police say their investigation remains ongoing to identify any additional participants in the kidnapping. [2] Swissaid notes that the UAE’s due-diligence rules introduced in 2023 have so far produced no reduction in illicit gold inflows. [3]
