Koudougou: The Koudougou municipal police intercepted five minors, students, on Thursday who were trying to reach gold mining sites, AIB observed.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the vigilance of the Koudougou municipal police has once again thwarted an attempt to transport minors to gold mining areas. The group consisted of five children, aged 12 to 15, all attending school. The individual responsible for their transport was apprehended and handed over to the appropriate authorities.

The group was passing through the city's bus station where an individual was waiting to transport them to their final destination on a tricycle. Following this arrangement, the tricycle driver was apprehended and taken to the Regional Child Protection Brigade (BRPE) for questioning.

The Director of the Koudougou Municipal Police, Patrice Bonkoungou, took this opportunity to issue an urgent appeal to parents. He urged them to be more vigilant and to closely monitor their children, particularly during this school holiday period, to protect them from the risks associated with gold mining and child exploitation.

The Municipal Police reaffirms, through this act, its determination to ensure the safety and protection of the population, in accordance with its public service mission.