Insurgents killed at least six men, abducted at least 10 women, ambushed two trucks, burned homes and looted goods in four different attacks, all south of Macomia’s district capital in Cabo Delgado province on Saturday.
The dead include one truck driver, who was killed in an ambush along the N380 road, a man in Rafique village who was beheaded, and four hunters near Nacate village, explained an entrepreneur in Macomia town, relaying details from his brother in Bangala 2 village.
The insurgents attacked Bangala 2 village, which is 8km from Macomia town, around 8pm, after ambushing the lorries. No lives were lost as the villagers had already fled and were hiding in the woods.
The two trucks that the insurgents ambushed on the N380 are believed to have come from Pemba, and had been carrying construction material northbound to the Messalo River bridge, where emergency repairs are underway.
Both lorries were burnt.
It is not yet known what happened to the other driver.
Mozambique’s defence and security forces (FDS) were at Bangala 2 village on Sunday morning, firing some shots before leaving.
Travellers are using the N380 road, the main north-south highway through the coastal districts of Cabo Delgado, but are doing so cautiously.
A significant number of women were kidnapped during the attack on Rafique village, when the man was beheaded. The insurgents released the older women but kept at least 10 younger ones.
Rafique is between Nacate and Bangala 2 villages.
Two brothers and their father were among the group of hunters who had been on their way back to Nacate village on Saturday afternoon when they were caught by the insurgents.
One of the brothers escaped.
He said the insurgents had tied them up and confiscated their bushmeat.
Insurgent activity in central Cabo Delgado has been frequent since 2022 began. At least 14 people were killed in attacks on Iba and Muaguide villages last weekend.
This article was produced by Zitamar and Mediafax under the Cabo Ligado project, in collaboration with ACLED. The contents of the article are the sole responsibility of Zitamar News.
