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…As terrorists kill unknown number of soldiers in Zuma Rock attack
Indications have shown that the military is now taking the threat’s of terrorist’s attack more seriously as authorities of Guards Brigade Nigerian Army have further deployed a reinforcement team from headquarters to beef up security within 102 Battalion barracks and FCT environs.
Sources said the terrorists arrived Zuma Rock on the axis of Madalla and Suleja along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, at about 8.30p.m., and took the soldiers by surprise, opening fire from different angles.
“They were shooting continuously at the checkpoint for more almost one hour, and soldiers at the checkpoint were fighting back. But after a while, the shooting stopped,” a source said.
An unknown number of soldiers were said to have been killed.
The sources said the terrorists later abandoned their mission of moving into Abuja and retreated towards Kaduna axis.
While retreating, the bandits who were said to be in several motorbikes, reportedly attacked some villages and shops in Madalla and carried foodstuff on their motorbikes before bolting.
Following the retreat of the terrorists, more troops and equipment from the Army base in Zuma Barracks were deployed for reinforcement to the scene.
Another source said a joint security operatives team were going on patrol around the axis when sounds of gunshot erupted and they moved towards the scene only to discover that it was an ongoing battle between soldiers and bandits.
The source said the security operatives immediately radioed the Army Barracks at Zuma Rock, resulting in the deployment of reinforcement to the scene.
The fighting reportedly caused severe traffic jam, as motorists remained trapped on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.
The sources further revealed that while many of the terrorist’s came on motorcycles, others came in a Hilux Van to launch the attack at the check-point which is located at the boundary between FCT and Niger State.
Troops of 102 battalion of the Presidential Guard’s Brigade who are responsible for manning the check-point were said to have put on a gallant response during the gun-fight leading to some of the terrorist’s sustaining gunshot wounds which also made them to flee.
Recall, the attack came barely six days after terrorists carried out an ambushed a patrol team of presidential guards team along the Bwari-Kubwa Road resulting in the death of six soldiers and officers following intelligence report that they were planning to attack the Nigerian Law School in Bwari.
The attack and other kidnapping incidents have resulted in heightened tension in the FCT, with schools closed.
The management of Federal Government College, Kwali, asked parents to evacuate their children from the school as a result of an attack by bandits in a neighbouring community 24 hours earlier.
Terrorists began the attacks by invading Kuje Prison in Abuja with bombs on July 5, killing an NSCDC officer, blowing open the gates and freeing over 800 inmates including 66 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists commanders and members.
The terrorists had also threatened to abduct President Muhammadu Buhari and the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.
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