Authorities in Niassa province have confirmed that residents have returned to the locality of Marangira following an insurgent attack that killed at least one person and forced approximately 2,700 people to flee their homes.
The information, reported by Lusa, was relayed by the Secretary of State for Niassa, Silva Livone, during celebrations marking Victory Day. ‘A calm environment has been restored; the population of Marangira has returned to their homes,’ the official stated.
The attack took place at the Marangira Coutada, located within the Niassa Special Reserve, where insurgents destroyed a tourist camp operated by Mozambique Wild Adventures — associated with Luso-Mozambican coach Carlos Queiroz — along with other local infrastructure. The incursion resulted in at least one fatality.
Despite the return of families, Silva Livone urged residents to remain vigilant within their communities in order to prevent further infiltration by armed groups.
According to authorities, the number of people displaced by the attack reached approximately 2,700, exceeding the initial estimate of 2,000. The Republic of Mozambique Police also confirmed that 11 people were abducted during the raid. Mozambican authorities indicate that the attackers may have originated from the neighbouring province of Cabo Delgado, which has been considered the primary epicentre of the armed insurgency in northern Mozambique since 2017.
Following the attack, the United States advised its citizens to avoid travel to the Niassa Special Reserve and the border area between Niassa and Cabo Delgado. Three American tourists were evacuated from the region in the aftermath of the incursion.
Since 2017, the armed insurgency in northern Mozambique has claimed more than 6,600 lives and displaced over 1.2 million people. Since 2025, sporadic incursions have been recorded in the neighbouring provinces of Niassa and Nampula.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/09/08/desenvolvimento-2/niassa-autoridades-confirmam-regresso-da-populacao-apos-ataque/
