The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), located in Kuru, close to Jos in Plateau State, has revealed that there was a security incident on its grounds after gunmen attacked late at night, allegedly killing three people, including a security guard and a police officer. 

Although the institute acknowledged that "a security incident occurred in the vicinity of the Institute in the early hours of today" in an official statement on Tuesday, staff members and eyewitnesses revealed that heavily armed attackers launched a coordinated attack on the facility on Monday night, engaging security personnel in a gunfight and resulting in multiple casualties. 

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an NIPSS employee verified the attack and detailed the fear that erupted within the organization as gunfire erupted.

“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,” he said 

According to the source, security guards put up a fierce fight to stop the gunmen from entering the institute.

Thankfully, security was strengthened, and the assailants ran away. However, they managed to murder two people at the gate before fleeing. The victims were a police officer and a soldier. The employee remarked, "It's very unfortunate."

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.”

The attack has increased security worries surrounding the nation's top policy and leadership training institution, which frequently welcomes academics, policymakers, military personnel, and senior government officials from all over Nigeria.

NIPSS attempted to reassure community members that the crisis had been contained in a statement signed by Osime Samuel, Head of Public Affairs Department.

“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 said.

Source