The Republic of Mozambique Police in Nampula province, recently the target of armed attacks, said yesterday that it is pursuing the perpetrators of the incursions, calling on the population to remain vigilant to "strange" people.

"The Defense and Security Forces are on the ground pursuing the enemy, to create an environment that allows our population to return to their areas of origin," said António Bachia, PRM commander in Nampula province, quoted by Lusa news agency.

Bachia was speaking after a graduation ceremony for 44 PRM officers in that part of the country.

On Thursday, the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, argued that the country should prevent the expansion of armed groups active since 2017 in Cabo Delgado to more provinces, noting that "terrorism has no borders, no barracks."

Earlier, on Wednesday, Nyusi had said that at least six people have been killed since Saturday in a new wave of armed attacks in northern Mozambique and fighting is ongoing.

"Six citizens were beheaded, three were kidnapped, and dozens of houses were set on fire," he said in Xai-Xai City during a speech on Victory Day.

Some points in the extreme north of Nampula province, along with Cabo Delgado, are the scene of instability caused by the presence of armed groups.

Cabo Delgado province is rich in natural gas, but has been terrorized since 2017 by armed violence, with some attacks claimed by the extremist group Islamic State.

The insurgency has led to a military response since a year ago by forces from Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), liberating districts near gas projects, but leading to a new wave of attacks in other areas, closer to Pemba, the provincial capital.