Maputo, 23 Oct (AIM) – Terrorists aligned with the self-styled “Islamic State” have invaded the villages of Nambo, Messano Lumuamua, Darumba and Olumboa, in Macomia Praia district, in the northern Mozambican Province of Cabo Delgado, but did not kill anyone, according to a report in Monday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Carta de Moçambique.”
The terrorists, according to the paper, confined themselves to talking to the recently returned population, in these villages, where the Mozambican state and its institutions are not yet in place.
“The terrorists, who spoke in local languages, namely Kimuani, Emakwa and Kiswahili, called on the population to live in peace and return to their activities, but without neglecting the commandments of the Koran”, a man named Sawal João told the paper.
“When the terrorists arrived in Messano, they didn’t harm people, they just told the population to be at peace and not to fear them”, he added.
Joao added that units of the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces (FDS), who are stationed just two kilometres from the villages of Nambo, Messano and Lumuamua, did not react or pursue them.
However, he said, a week ago, a boat loaded with food stolen by the group in the village of Pangane was destroyed by a helicopter in the area of Pequeué, in the administrative post of Quiterajo.
“On Friday, a driver came across them in an area near Darumba village, the car was buried, the terrorists helped push it, but advised them not to carry the pigs, referring to our Defence and Security Forces. From there they went on to Naúnde, where they slept”, said another source.
Cabo Delgado has been plagued by terrorism since October 2017 and, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the conflict has left one million people displaced and about 4,000 dead.
(AIM)
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