ARMED men have attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, for the third time in two weeks, with security operatives successfully repelling the latest assault and killing one suspected attacker during a fierce exchange of gunfire.
News Point Nigeria reports that the latest attack occurred at about 11 p.m. on Wednesday when the gunmen attempted to gain access to the country’s foremost policy institution but were met with stiff resistance from security personnel stationed at the facility. The renewed assault comes just days after troops foiled another attempted infiltration of the institute and about two weeks after gunmen attacked the institute’s staff quarters, killing two soldiers and a police officer.
Confirming Wednesday night’s incident in a statement on Thursday, the Head of Public Affairs at NIPSS, Dr. Osime Samuel, said the attackers engaged security operatives in a gun battle but were forced to retreat following what he described as a swift and coordinated response by security forces.
According to him, one of the suspected assailants was killed during the encounter, while the remaining attackers fled the scene.
Samuel said the attackers failed to breach the institute’s security perimeter, assuring that all participants of the ongoing Senior Executive Course, staff members, residents and facilities remained safe.
“NIPSS wishes to reassure participants, staff, residents and the general public that the security of lives and property within the institute remains our highest priority,” the statement said.
The institute added that security agencies had intensified efforts to track down those responsible for the attack, while surveillance and other security measures had been strengthened within and around the institution.
NIPSS also commended the professionalism and prompt response of security personnel involved in repelling the attack and urged members of the public to disregard unverified reports capable of causing unnecessary panic.
The latest incident came barely days after troops foiled another attempted infiltration of the institute in the early hours of Monday.
According to military sources, the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday when troops, working alongside other security agencies deployed to guard the institute, detected the movement of unidentified gunmen around the facility.
Security personnel reportedly responded immediately, forcing the suspected attackers to flee into a nearby thick shrub before they could gain access to the institute.
“The troops immediately conducted a search of the surrounding area where the suspects were last sighted, but no contact was established as the suspects had escaped,” military sources said.
The sources added that security around the institute was subsequently reinforced, with surveillance operations and area domination patrols intensified to prevent any further attempt to breach the premises.
According to the military, the area has remained under close monitoring as security agencies continue efforts to identify and apprehend those behind the attempted infiltration.
The fresh attack also follows an earlier deadly assault on the institute exactly two weeks ago when gunmen attacked the NIPSS staff quarters, killing two soldiers and a police officer during a security operation.
The three security personnel were reportedly on duty at the residential area when the attackers struck, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire that claimed their lives.
Confirming that earlier incident, Dr. Samuel had said a security breach occurred in the vicinity of the institute in the early hours of the day.
“The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, wishes to inform the public that a security incident occurred in the vicinity of the Institute in the early hours of today,” he stated at the time.
He had assured that the situation was swiftly brought under control by security personnel and that there was no immediate threat to participants, staff, residents or facilities within the institute.
“According to him, there is currently no threat to the safety of participants, staff, residents, or facilities of the Institute. Normal activities are continuing as scheduled.”
However, findings by Daily Trust indicated that the gunmen specifically targeted the residences of the Acting Director of Studies, Barrister Nima Salman-Mann, and a Directing Staff of the institute, Professor Haruna Dabin.
Sources disclosed that both officials had, days before the attack, discovered handwritten notes pasted on their doors allegedly demanding payments of $100,000 and N15 million respectively. The threats were reportedly brought to the attention of the institution’s management before the attack occurred.
A source familiar with the development, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the three slain security personnel died while confronting the attackers.
The latest attack has heightened concerns over the recurring security threats facing the prestigious policy institute despite increased deployment of security personnel and reinforced surveillance around the facility.