Bodies of 28 people shot dead found in Burkina Faso

The killings of 28 persons, whose bodies were discovered in the town of Nouna in the country's northwest, are being investigated by the Burkinabe authorities.

The homicides were discovered the night of December 30, according to a statement from the government, which also denounced the "unacceptable brutality."

According to prosecutors, the victims were shot to death, but neither the identity of the attackers nor the nature of the attacks were revealed, according to the Reuters news agency.

In anticipation of the investigation's conclusion, the authorities have issued a calm request.

According to a government statement, "This drama occurred at a time when Burkina Faso has launched an operation of mobilising the entire people for unity of action in the battle against terrorism."

According to a rights group, the victims were civilians who had been targeted by a civil defense squad that the government had just just established to aid in the fight against an Islamist insurgency. There is no evidence to support this.

The nation of West Africa is waging war against an Islamist insurgency that has already driven over two million people from their homes and sparked two military coups in the space of a year.