By Eric Appah Marfo
Accra, Feb. 16, GNA – Mr Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister for the Interior says the Government is working closely with authorities in Burkina Faso and Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Ouagadougou to identify Ghanaian victims of a recent terrorist attack in Burkina Faso.
The attack occurred on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Titao in Burkina Faso, where a truck carrying Ghanaian tomato traders was attacked by suspected jihadists.
Mr Mohammed-Mubarak, who disclosed on Monday during an interview, said seven Ghanaian men were killed in the attack, while three others sustained injuries.
One of the injured is said to be in critical condition, while the others are stable.
The Minister explained that the Ghanaian traders had travelled to Burkina Faso to purchase tomatoes for resale in Ghana, as part of the long-standing cross-border trade between the two neighbouring countries.
According to him, the attackers stormed the town and reportedly separated men from women before opening fire on the men and setting the truck ablaze.
“The truck driver and nine other men were on board. Unfortunately, we lost seven of them, and three sustained injuries,” he said.
Mr Mohammed-Mubarak noted that initial confirmation of the victims’ nationality was challenging due to the chaotic circumstances of the attack.
However, eight Ghanaian women who were travelling with the group survived and had been assisting authorities with identification.
“The women knew the men personally. Some of the victims had Ghana Cards and other identification documents, which are helping us confirm their identities,” he stated.
He added that Ghana had requested the Burkina Faso authorities to allow the taking of samples for possible DNA testing before burial, given reports that the bodies had been severely burnt and had begun decomposing.
“And so based on the correspondence in Burkina Faso, they are going to be buried today because the bodies have started decomposing.”
“And so the authorities in Burkina Faso say they are going to be burying them today. They’ve tried to get the Ghanian mission there to be part of it.”
However, Burkina Faso authorities had assured Ghana of efforts to document the process and later facilitate safe passage for survivors to be handed over to Ghana’s mission.
“We are trying to identify the families and will reach out to them before making any public confirmation of names,” The Minister said, extending condolences to the bereaved families.
In a statement issued earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration confirmed that it was in constant communication with Ghana’s mission in Burkina Faso and the local authorities to ensure appropriate consular support for affected citizens.
The attack is a pointer to the worsening security situation in Burkina Faso, where armed extremist groups have intensified assaults on civilians and settlements in recent years.
Titao, located in the northern part of the country, has been among areas repeatedly targeted.
Ghanaian traders, particularly those dealing in tomatoes and other agricultural produce, frequently travel to Burkina Faso as part of regional commerce within the ECOWAS sub-region.
GNA
16 Feb. 2026
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong