Muslim women in burqas (illustration)
Muslim women in burqas (illustration)Flash 90

While Western states have seen a great uproar over attempts to limit the Muslim burqa full-face veil, the Muslim-majority African nation of Chad lost no time in enforcing a ban on the veil after painfully experiencing a terrorist attack launched thanks to the Muslim garb.

Police in Chad announced on Sunday that anyone wearing the full-face veil will be arrested, a day after the Boko Haram terrorist group murdered 15 people in a suicide bombing conducted by an attacker disguised as a women in the veil, reports AFP.

The bombing on Saturday targeted a market in the capital city of N'Djamena, and aside from the 15 dead it left 80 wounded.

Boko Haram's bomber in women's clothing detonated an explosives belt after being stopped for security checks at the entrance to the main market of the city.

"This attack just confirms that a ban on the full-face veil was justified," said national police spokesperson Paul Manga. "It now must be respected more than ever by the entire population. Anyone who does not obey the law will be automatically arrested and brought to justice."

Chad banned the full-face veil last month in addition to boosting security measures and striking Boko Haram positions in Nigeria, after the terrorist group which has sworn allegiance to Islamic State (ISIS) attacked the Chadian capital for the first time.

Following the latest bombing security was beefed in N'Djamena on Sunday, with police and soldiers deployed in various key areas including markets and mosques.

Nine of the murdered were female traders working at the market.

"What was happening elsewhere and what we heard about from media reports is now happening here," Zenaba, a woman trader in her forties, told AFP. "I'm really scared for me and my children."

Boko Haram lost no time in claiming responsibility for the bombing on Twitter, referencing itself as "Islamic State, West Africa province."