On February 16, 2026, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, known by its Arabic acronym JNIM, claimed responsibility for the attack. Titao, the scene of the attack, has experienced repeated militant assaults since 2019, reflecting the ongoing instability in northern Burkina Faso. The extremist group is led by Iyad Ag Ghaly, a veteran Tuareg militant from Mali. In late 2025, it carried out its first known attack on Nigerian soil. As of 2025, analysts estimate that JNIM commands between 5,000 and 6,000 fighters, making it the most powerful extremist group in the Sahel.

Source: GhanaWeb February 17, 2026 13:42 UTC