Authorities strengthen security measures in Metuge

Maputo, 14 Jun (AIM) – The Mozambican authorities have strengthened security measures in Metuge district, around 50 kilometers from Pemba, capital of the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, since local residents have been denouncing the movement of Islamist terrorists in the region.

According to Friday’s issue of the independent newsheet “Carta de Moçambique”, the scenario has generated an atmosphere of fear, especially in the Metuge district capital.

According to the paper’s sources, “On Wednesday, information began to circulate that terrorists were near the district capital, in the Messanja area. So that created fear and that’s why the government deployed a lot of force for our security.”

The boosting of security in Metuge came shortly after reports of a terrorist group that had captured some farmers in an area known as Walopuana, in the Messanja region.

“They had captured two people. One was released and the other was forced to accompany the terrorists to the Nrithi River. Then she was also released”, a source said.

Another resident said that, in addition to Walopuana, the terrorists went to the Mwissi area where they beheaded at least three people. However, the information about the beheadings was not confirmed by other sources.

“The person I spoke to said that they also arrived in Mwissi and must have killed three people [beheaded and dumped the bodies]. This has caused some unrest even in the Messanja area”, a source said.

(AIM)

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