In a daring rescue operation, the Mozambican army has freed 280 women and children from the clutches of the Naparama paramilitary group, officials confirmed today.
The victims, who had been held captive for over two weeks, were found at a former guerrilla base in Zambezia province. Brigadier General Bernado Ntchokomola, who led the operation, described the harrowing conditions the captives endured.
“These women were subjected to constant abuse and were being trained to join the paramilitary group, while their children and husbands watched helplessly,” Ntchokomola said in a press briefing.
The Naparama, a militant faction that traces its roots to Mozambique’s brutal 16-year civil war (1977-1992), has reportedly been engaging in violent attacks across central and northern regions. The group’s members participate in initiation rituals that are believed to provide them with “supernatural protection.”
Following the rescue, the army is returning the victims to their communities, although the emotional and psychological scars left by their ordeal will likely remain long after they’ve returned.
“The environment these criminals have created is one of fear,” Ntchokomola added, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by the group in the region.
Mozambique’s army continues to work tirelessly to combat the rise of militant groups, with recent reports showing a surge in attacks carried out by Naparama members.