Three security personnel, including two soldiers and a police officer, were reportedly killed after gunmen attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos in Plateau State on Monday night.
According to reports, the attackers attempted to breach the premises of Nigeria’s premier policy and leadership institute at about 11 p.m., targeting the residential quarters where participants of an ongoing senior executive course were lodged.
Sources cited by NewsmakersNG said the armed men sought to gain access to the participants’ wing of the facility but were met with fierce resistance from security operatives stationed at the institute.
The police officer reportedly killed during the incident was said to be an orderly attached to a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, while the two soldiers allegedly lost their lives during the ensuing gun battle.
Despite the attack, security personnel were said to have successfully prevented the assailants from accessing the residential area.
“No participant was abducted because the security forces successfully repelled the attackers before they could enter the residential area,” a source familiar with the incident reportedly said.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued early Tuesday, the management of NIPSS said a security breach occurred in the vicinity of the institute but assured that the situation had been brought under control.
“A security incident occurred in the vicinity of the Institute in the early hours of today. The situation was promptly brought under control through the swift response of security personnel and relevant security agencies,” the statement signed by Dr. Osime Samuel, Head of Public Affairs, read.
The institute further assured participants, staff and residents that there was no immediate threat to their safety.
“There is currently no threat to the safety of participants, staff, residents, or facilities of the Institute, and normal activities are continuing as scheduled,” the statement added.
NIPSS, however, declined to confirm reports circulating on social media regarding casualties and other details of the incident, noting that investigations were ongoing.
“It would be premature to speculate on the nature, scope, or outcome of the event. We urge members of the public and the media to rely on official communications from the Institute and relevant security agencies,” the management stated.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the motive behind the attack.
Meanwhile, security presence around the institute has reportedly been strengthened as investigations and efforts to track down the attackers continue.
The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, located in Kuru, Plateau State, is Nigeria’s foremost policy and strategic leadership institution, responsible for training senior government officials, military officers, security chiefs and policy strategists.
