Burkina Faso officials have initiated an inquiry into the murders of 28 persons whose remains were discovered in the northwestern town of Nouna.
The government issued a statement condemning the "unacceptable violence" and saying the deaths were found on the night of December 30.
According to Reuters news agency, prosecutors stated that the victims were murdered by gunshot, but no information was provided about the suspected culprits or purpose for the killings.
The officials have urged everyone to remain calm until the inquiry is completed.
"This drama occurs at a time when Burkina Faso has initiated an operation of mobilisation of the whole people for unity of action in the fight against terrorism," the government statement said.
The West African country is fighting an Islamist insurgency that has already displaced over two million people and resulted in two military coups in less than a year.