AfriPulse
Gunmen attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Monday night, killing two soldiers and a police officer guarding the staff quarters of the institution.
Daily Trust gathered that the assailants targeted the residences of the Acting Director of Studies, Barrister Nima Salman-Mann and a Directing Staff, Professor Haruna Dabin.
Sources said handwritten notes had been pasted on the doors of the two officials on Saturday, demanding payment of $100,000 and N15 million from them, respectively. It was gathered that the notice was reported to the management.
Daily Trust reports that the attack on NIPSS added to a list of deadly raids on public institutions, including schools and security formations, by terrorists and bandits across the country. In May, at least 17 police officers undergoing specialised operational training and several soldiers were killed after suspected members of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
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“During the day, local security men watch over the staff quarters. At night, soldiers and police are deployed to provide security in the area. It is believed that the attackers came to the houses of the staff they had earlier sent notes demanding money,” the source said.
Dr Osime Samuel, Head of Public Affairs at the institute, confirmed the attack in a statement on Tuesday but gave no details of the casualties or circumstances surrounding the incident.
“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,” it said.
The management added that the situation was brought under control through the swift response of security personnel and “there is currently no threat to the safety of participants, staff, residents, or facilities of the Institute. Normal activities are continuing as scheduled.”
It further explained that security agencies had commenced investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“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 management of NIPSS 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,” the statement said.
The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Alabo Alfred, who confirmed the killings, said reinforcements had been deployed and patrols intensified around the institute. He added that the situation was under control and normalcy had been restored.
“The Plateau State Police Command, on a very sad note, wishes to confirm the incident that occurred in the early hours of today, 16th June 2026, involving security personnel on duty at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru. Regrettably, three security personnel lost their lives during the incident.
“Investigation is ongoing. The Command urges members of the public to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses. Further updates will be communicated in due course,” he said.
Daily Trust gathered that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, also visited the scene of the attack, while the bodies of the slain officers had been deposited at a mortuary.
Residents express fear over attack
Residents around the institution said they were stunned the perpetrators had the guts to attack the facility despite the sensitivity of the area.
One of them, Barrister Benjamin Davou, wondered what would be the fate of civilians if security agents and institutions were not spared from terrorist attacks.
Auwal Hudu, a community leader in Bukuru, Jos South, said the attack was unfortunate and scary “because if an institution like NIPSS could be attacked, it raises more questions than answers, as anyone could then be vulnerable.”
He urged the government to fortify NIPSS and other public institutions, which are home not only to staff and the host community, but also accommodate the think tanks that formulate national policies.
Hudu called on the government to be proactive in confronting security challenges, lamenting that it was depressing that no arrests had been made yet.
“Apart from institutions, there should also be adequate security in communities. Security agencies should beam their searchlight on hotels, because strangers come into town, lodge for days or weeks and no one knows what they are doing,” he added.
Incident blamed on intelligence lapses
A security analyst and Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, C Division in Plateau State, Abdullahi Aliyu Bako, blamed the attack on what he described as lapses in intelligence, stressing the need to act on early warning signs.
He said, “The truth is that the security system in this country is totally bad. In any organization or country, they don’t play with security information. But here in Nigeria, when you give a report that something is going to happen, you will not be taken seriously. Security officers don’t play with information, but that is what is happening in Nigeria. The entire security of a place like NIPPS is supposed to be tight.”
Bako urged the government to double down on the fight against insecurity and review the country’s security system.
“Being a sensitive area, no one should pass or go into the institution without capturing their picture or video. Let there be sensitive technology around the institute. Stakeholders shouldn’t be joking with security information, no matter how small it is. Knowing the sensitivity of the institution, there should be tight security,” he added.
About NIPSS
Established in 1979, NIPSS is Nigeria’s top policy institute that conducts research on security, economy, politics and social issues. It trains senior military officers, civil servants and private sector leaders on leadership and various disciplines, producing hundreds of graduates, including heads of service and governors.
The institute’s core mandate is to develop top-class technocrats with high intellectual capacity to conceptualize and anchor policy initiatives critical for national development.
Since 1979, over 1,784 participants – including serving and former top executives from the presidency, state governments, armed forces, academia and labour – have graduated from NIPSS’ annual Senior Executive Course (SEC).
Five killed in Jos South
In a related development, five people were killed on Tuesday afternoon after gunmen stormed a mining site in Gero village, Gyel District of Jos South LGA. Residents said the incident occurred about 3 p.m., hours after the attack on NIPSS, located within the same council area. Gero village sits 15-20 kilometres away from NIPSS.
A resident, Ritiji Dalyop, who spoke to one of our correspondents, said the victims were engaged in mining activities when the attackers suddenly invaded the site and opened fire indiscriminately. “Five persons were shot dead by the gunmen,” he added.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, alleged that the attack formed part of growing security threats in communities around the area and expressed concern over the safety of residents.
He referenced an earlier attack on NIPSS and called for urgent security interventions to prevent further attacks and restore calm to affected communities.
The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Alabo Alfred, said he had not been briefed about the incident.
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Source: DailyTrust | Read the Full Story…
