Suspected gunmen launched a late-night assault on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State, killing three security operatives.
The attackers reportedly stormed the nation’s foremost policy institution at approximately 11:40 p.m. on Monday, opening fire in an aggressive bid to breach the facility.
A fierce gun battle ensued as security personnel stationed at the institute swiftly engaged the assailants. According to an institutional source speaking on the condition of anonymity, the unexpected attack was successfully repelled, preventing the gunmen from penetrating deeper into the facility.
However, the confrontation claimed the lives of three brave operatives, identified as two soldiers and one police officer attached to the institute’s security detail.
The heavy gunfire, which lasted for several minutes, triggered widespread panic among residents of the surrounding Kuru communities in the Jos South Local Government Area.
Bulus Haruna, a local resident, noted that the intensity of the sustained shooting left neighbors shaken. Despite the chaos, the precise motive behind the targeted assault on the high-profile strategic institute remains unclear.
In a statement released by the Head of the Public Affairs Department, Dr. Osime Samuel, NIPSS management confirmed the incident but assured the public that the situation had been brought firmly under control.
The statement emphasized that normal operations have since resumed and that there is currently no threat to the safety of course participants, staff, residents, or the institution’s facilities.
Meanwhile, NIPSS management clarified that security agencies have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Cautioning the public against spreading unverified rumors, the institute distanced itself from social media speculation, reaffirming its commitment to community safety and commending the security forces for their professionalism and rapid response.
