The Mozambican army also seized computer materials and communication radios from Catupa base, which was considered a strategic area for the militants.

Government forces also told journalists that a young man who said he worked as a security guard for the jihadists surrendered to them.

"He is an example of those Mozambicans [who are with the rebels] to whom we appeal whenever they surrender to our forces. As you can see, he is not mistreated. He has one of his arms amputated, but this was done by one of the jihadists," Col Saranga said.

Cabo Delgado has been under jihadist attacks since 2017.

This conflict has so far claimed about 4,000 lives and displaced close to 900,000 people.