A harrowing terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso, on Saturday, February 14, 2026, claimed the lives of several Ghanaian tomato traders, an incident that has been officially confirmed by Ghana's Ministry of the Interior and National Security. The Ministry, through a press release signed by Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, described the intelligence as deeply disturbing, highlighting the severe risks faced by cross-border traders in the Sahel region.

Eric Tuffour, President of the Tomato and Onion Truck Drivers Association, provided a chilling eyewitness account of the attack. Speaking exclusively to JoyNews, Mr. Tuffour recounted that the terrorists, suspecting the presence of enemies, targeted a truck transporting Ghanaian traders who were in the town at the time. According to his account, when the assailants arrived, the women, along with the men involved in loading the vehicle, the driver, and the conductor, were seated at the front of the truck.

The terrorists specifically directed their aggression towards those positioned atop the load. Mr. Tuffour tragically revealed, "They shot the male passengers, leaving the female passengers unharmed. All the men who were seated on top of the vehicle were shot dead." Further intensifying the horror, the driver, who had locked himself inside the vehicle, was trapped as the terrorists subsequently set the truck ablaze.

In the wake of this brutal incident, Mr. Tuffour underscored the precarious situation of Ghanaian traders who frequently journey to northern Burkina Faso for their trade. He issued an urgent plea for enhanced security measures and greater protection to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of these vulnerable cross-border merchants.

The Government of Ghana has expressed profound concern over the attack, reiterating the distressing nature of the information received. The Ministry of the Interior and National Security confirmed that Ghana's Embassy in Burkina Faso has promptly initiated engagements with local authorities. These efforts aim to visit the attack site, gather further details, and crucially, identify any Ghanaian nationals caught in the tragic incident.

The Ministry assured the public that updates will be provided as more information becomes available. This development unfolds against a backdrop of escalating security challenges in parts of the Sahel region, where terrorist activities have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, making such cross-border journeys fraught with extreme danger for traders.