Chad police have arrested 62 women for wearing full veils in public as the country steps up security against following a multiple suicide bombing attack, a police spokesman said.

Authorities also arrested eight suspected attackers, police spokesman Paul Manka said on Thursday.

The first major arrests of women for the veil ban have been carried out in the capital, N’djamena, since Wednesday in line with “anti-terrorism” measures, he said.

Chadian authorities banned wearing full veils in public places in June to prevent suicide attacks, especially by the Nigerian armed group Boko Haram.