The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the deaths of four Christians, including an Italian nun, in a strike at Mozambique’s northern Nampula province on Tuesday.
It made the claim the next day through its Telegram accounts in the name of its so-called Mozambique Province branch.
Sister Maria De Coppi, an 83-year-old Italian nun, was shot dead by militants who raided the village of Chipene in Memba district, where a Christian missionary is based, mainstream media outlets reported on Wednesday.
The attack apparently resulted in the beheading of several persons.
The nun was allegedly slain by IS because she had “excessively engaged in propagating Christianity,” according to IS’s allegation.
Additionally, it boasted that before purportedly returning safely to their positions, its militants destroyed a church, two vehicles, and “other things” belonging to “the missionary in the area.”
In June, when it also claimed to have stormed a community in Memba and apparently murdered one Christian, IS claimed its first and only attack in Nampula.
The province of Cabo Delgado, where the majority of IS activity is located, is south of Nampula.
The most recent assault in Nampula has been verified by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.