Maputo, 25 Jan (AIM) – The administrator of Quissanga district, in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, has confirmed that islamist terrorists passed through the district on Tuesday, apparently heading further south towards Metuge district.
Cited in Thursday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Mediafax”, the administrator, Sidonio Jose, said that much of the terrorist group had set off from the Mucojo administrative post, in Macomia district. The terrorists had occupied Mucojo on Sunday.
Jose believed that the jihadists were attempting to reach the prison at Mieze, in Metuge, where they wanted to release terrorists captured by the Mozambican defence and security forces.
The administrator said the islamist group met with the population of Musomero village at about 18.00 on Tuesday. They did not kill or injure any of the villagers, but talked with them, rested for a while, and then resumed their journey southwards.
Some of the villagers fled into the bush, but others returned and resumed their normal work on Wednesday.
“They didn’t reach the district capital”, said the administrator. “They passed through Mussometro, which is six kilometres from Quissanga town, and then went on to Mahate village. They crossed the Montepuez river, and we’re not sure what route they followed after that”.
Although the jihadists did not kill anyone, their mere presence was enough to spark off an exodus, as frightened villagers fled towards the towns of Macomia and Mocimboa da Praia.
(AIM)
Pf/ (241)
