Gunmen attack NIPSS, policeman, two others feared dead

Gunmen on Monday night attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State, killing three persons, including a policeman.

According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants stormed the facility at about 11:40 p.m.. They opened fire on security operatives manning the gate of the institute, triggering an exchange of gunfire with security personnel stationed at the facility.

A staff member of NIPSS, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the attack to PUNCH Online in Jos on Tuesday.

Describing the moment the attack began, he said, “I was sleeping when I heard gunshots. I didn’t know what to make of it, but when I woke up, I discovered it was real because the gunshots had already caused commotion within the NIPSS. It turned out that the institution was under attack.”

The source confirmed that security operatives engaged the attackers in a fierce confrontation to prevent them from gaining access to the institute.

“Thank God security was reinforced, and the attackers fled. But they succeeded in killing two persons at the gate before they ran away. A soldier and a policeman were the victims. It’s very unfortunate,” the staff member said.

According to the same source, “Three persons lost their lives during the attack, including a policeman and another officer attached to the institute’s security detail.” He added that “the swift response of security forces prevented the gunmen from penetrating deeper into the facility and causing further damage.”

Bulus Haruna, a resident of Kuru in Jos South Local Government Area, told our correspondent that “residents of surrounding communities were thrown into panic following the sound of sustained gunfire that lasted several minutes.”

The motive behind the attack remained unclear as of press time, the NIPSS staff member disclosed.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, Alfred Alabo, for official confirmation of the incident were unsuccessful as of press time.

Similarly, attempts to obtain comments from the authorities of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies also proved unsuccessful.

But in a statement released on Tuesday and signed by the Head of Public Affairs Department, Osime Samuel, NIPSS confirmed that “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. 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.

The Institute said security agencies “have commenced investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident” and noted that “as investigations are ongoing, it would be premature to speculate on the nature, scope, or outcome of the event. The Institute is therefore unable to confirm details currently circulating on social media and other unofficial platforms.”

“NIPSS is working closely with the appropriate authorities and will provide verified information as soon as it becomes available. We urge members of the public and the media to rely on official communications from the Institute and relevant security agencies”, the statement continued.

The management added that it “remains committed to the safety and security of all members of the Institute community and appreciates the professionalism of the security personnel and agencies involved in the response. Further updates will be communicated in due course.”