Terrorists in northern Mozambique have killed four civilians in an attack on the town of Macomia, a local military official and residents told AFP on Monday.

Renewed attacks have been reported in recent months in Cabo Delgado province where terrorism has been raging since 2017.

"The terrorists...killed four people, including a local merchant, and kidnapped two girls," a military officer who asked to remain anonymous told AFP.

"They clashed with the local militia for a few minutes and then withdrew from the town," he said of Sunday night's attack. "Some terrorists were wounded."

Terrorists kill thousands of people in Mozambique since 2017

"We heard gunshots around 8pm and started running into the woods. When they entered the neighbourhood, they killed four people and kidnapped four others, including a woman and her two daughters," a resident, who also requested anonymity, told AFP.

Another resident said the terrorist had "fatally shot a young man who refused to hand over his father's belongings."

Terrorists have killed at least 6,200 people in Mozambique since 2017, according to conflict monitoring group ACLED.

Mocimboa da Praia was previously a landing port for fuel, cars, tractors and other equipment for companies operating in the gas hub near the town of Palma.