The Government of Mozambique has denied the reports of Islamic militants beheading over 50 people in a village in Cabo Delgado province. Valige Tauabo, the province’s governor, reported that, contrary to the reports, there were no recent killings in any of the districts.
He further added that the last killing recorded in the province happened on April, 6. The state media reported on Tuesday, November 12, that over 50 people in a village in Miudumbe district were decapitated on a football pitch.
However, local media news have reported otherwise and it has been confirmed by the ACLED. As many as 355,000 individuals have been displaced, a huge spike from the 90,000 count in January.
The uprising which begun in 2017 were initially known as Al-Sunna wa Jama’a. The victims are usually dismembered with machetes and attacked teachers, nurses, local chiefs and state officials.
The gunmen were said to have chanted the words ‘ALLAHU AKBAR[Allah is the Greatest] before opening fire on civilians and burning down houses as they invaded Nanjaba village on Friday.
The Governor added that there have only been reports on’ attacks from evildoers’ who are being handled by the military. He then said the government is concerned about the rapid spread of violence Cabo Delgado.
Mozambique has also blocked off journalists and human rights researchers from the zones, while international aid agencies have fled.
