Suspected terrorists reportedly attacked a military checkpoint near Zuma Rock along the Abuja-Niger highway, Suleja, on Thursday.
The incident caused gridlock in the area with personnel of the Nigerian Army carrying out a clearance operation along the busy highway.
However, the number of casualty in the attack can not be confirmed .
Sources said the terrorists arrived Zuma Rock on the axis of Madalla and Suleija 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.
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 on 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.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had on Monday warned of a planned attack by terrorists in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna and three other states in the country.
Abuja had recorded a few attacks in the last few weeks.
Members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked the Kuje correctional centre, Abuja, on July 5 and freed hundreds of inmates detained in the facility.
Terrorists had also attacked troops of the 7 Battalion, Guards Brigade, along the Kubwa-Bwari Road, Abuja, last weekend and killed several soldiers.
