Security personnel repelled a fresh attempt by armed men to infiltrate the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State, killing one attacker in a gun battle, weeks after a similar attack on the institute.
For the second time in weeks, gunmen have tried — and failed — to breach one of Nigeria’s most important policy institutions
A fresh attempt by suspected armed men to infiltrate the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, was thwarted late on Wednesday after security personnel engaged the attackers in a gun battle that left one assailant dead.
The incident occurred at about 11pm when the gunmen attempted to force their way into the facility. Alert security operatives responded swiftly, blocking the attackers from breaching the institute’s security cordon.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued Thursday, the Institute’s Head of Public Affairs, Dr Osime Samuel, said the assailants were met with “a swift and coordinated response by security forces” following “a fierce exchange of gunfire.”
According to the statement, one attacker was neutralised during the confrontation, while several others fled the scene with varying degrees of injuries.
Despite the attempted breach, NIPSS stressed that its security architecture remained intact, noting that the gunmen were unable to gain entry into the premises. It confirmed that all participants in the Senior Executive Course, staff members, residents and the Institute’s facilities remained safe and unharmed.
The statement added that security agencies have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects, while surveillance operations and other preventive security measures have been strengthened within and around the institution.
Reaffirming its commitment to safety, NIPSS assured participants, employees, their families and the wider public that “the security of lives and property remained its highest priority.”
The Institute commended security agencies for their prompt intervention and professionalism during the operation, and urged the public to disregard false reports capable of creating unnecessary fear and panic.
This latest attempted invasion comes just weeks after a similar attack in which gunmen tried to gain access to the Institute’s premises.
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