A young man was kidnapped by a group of armed insurgents in the middle of last week on his arrival at a gold mine in the village of Ravia, Meluco district, Cabo Delgado province.

According to Zumbo FM NewsThe terrorists demanded money from the family to release the victim. The demands were met and the victim was released, supposedly "immaculate" at the end of the week.

A source close to the family told us that the amount demanded was 10,000 meticais, given in cash to one of the terrorists by a relative of the victim.

"The terrorists told this young man's family that this money should be delivered in person, not sent via transfer," the portal quotes him as saying.

The family will have taken out loans to mobilize the amount required for the rescue.

The situation has caused consternation and apprehension in the local community, which fears that insecurity in the area will worsen.

The incident is part of a pattern of attacks and kidnappings attributed to insurgent groups that continue to operate in some parts of Cabo Delgado province, particularly in areas close to mineral resources.