Pô:The Dakola border police in the commune of Pô, Nahouri province, intercepted eight minors between Wednesday, October 21, and Sunday, October 25, 2026, who were attempting to reach gold mining sites.

According to Burkina Information Agency, this development has raised concerns over the safety and future of youths involved in such activities. Police Commissioner Amitandi Onadja, head of the Dakola post, emphasized the need for collective awareness and urged parents and guardians to ensure the safety and future of their children.

Commissioner Onadja highlighted the dangers faced by children who leave their family homes for gold mining sites. He pointed out the risks of exploitation by criminal networks, exposure to dangerous work conditions, serious accidents, and early school dropout. The commissioner stressed that these environments are detrimental to children's futures.

He further noted that allowing children to embark on clandestine journeys to gold mines compromises their futures as well as the community's. Commissioner Onadja commended the collaboration between the local population, technical services, and the Defense and Security Forces (FDS).

The police commissioner urged parents and the public to report such cases to security services using the hotlines 1010, 16, and 17. The minors intercepted by the police have been handed over to social services for their safe return to their families or guardians.