At least five people were killed and several others severely injured in a violent assault in northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, local police confirmed on Wednesday. The attackers have been identified as members of Naprama, an armed group with a history of violence in the country.
The incident occurred in the village of Ntotue, located in Mocimboa da Praia district. According to police spokesperson Orlando Mudumane, the group opened fire on residents, triggering panic and mass displacement.
“Upon arrival, our officers found five people dead, multiple others in critical condition, and a large number of residents had fled the area,” Mudumane stated. He added that security forces engaged in a firefight with the attackers to stabilize the situation.
Naprama was originally formed during Mozambique’s 16-year civil war and has recently reappeared in several violent incidents across the country. In February, four suspected members were killed during clashes with police while attempting to overrun a local government post in Zambezia Province. Just a month earlier, the group was accused of executing a local official in Murrumbala district and leaving the body on public display.
Mocimboa da Praia is among the hardest-hit districts in Cabo Delgado, a province that has faced ongoing armed violence since 2017. The unrest has displaced over 10,000 people, with local communities continuing to bear the brunt of insecurity and limited access to aid.
Authorities have urged increased support and coordination to protect affected populations and respond to the growing humanitarian needs in the region.