The government of Mozambique has denied reports of mass beheading by militant Islamists in the northern Cabo Delgado gas-rich province.
The Governor of Cabo Delgado, Valige Tauabo said there were no recent killings in any district of the province, adding that the last known killings by Islamists took place on the 6th of April.
The state media had on Tuesday reported that more than 50 people were beheaded by the militants at a football pitch in a village in Miudumbe district.
The Mozambique news agency quoted survivors as saying “The gunmen chanted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”, in English), fired shots, and set homes alight when they raided Nanjaba village on Friday night.”
Governor Tauabo said there had only been “incursions by evildoers” who were being pursued by the military.
He added that the government is concerned about the spread of armed violence in Cabo Delgado.
