100 arrested, explosives seized in Burkina Faso raids

Burkinabe authorities have arrested around 100 people and seized explosives in operations in eastern and northern regions near the Malian border where jihadists are active, the chief of army staff said Saturday. "From April 19 to 27 the armed forces carried out operations to cordon off the northern border, leading to the arrest of 100 suspects including sought individuals as well as the neutralisation of explosives," an army statement said.
Burkina Faso's border regions with Mali and Niger have both been the scene of regular attacks by jihadist groups over the past three years. Official figures say 89 ambushes have left 134 people dead.