By Teddy Nwanunobi
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s order to permanently reinforce security at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, gunmen still attacked the institute.
Daily NewsCraft reports that this is the second time the institute has been attacked in barely two weeks.
It would be recalled that Kuru residents, near Jos, were thrown into panic in the early hours of Tuesday (June 16), following a heavy attack by suspected terrorists on Nigeria’s foremost policy institution, which left, at least, three security personnel dead.
On Friday (June 19), Tinubu while addressing participants of Senior Executive Course 48, 2026, at NIPSS, said the incident has strengthened the resolve of the Federal Government to protect national institutions, support security personnel, and ensure that future attacks do not find the country unprepared.
Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, directed that emergency security measures be activated without delay, with the Director General of NIPSS required to work with the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to fortify the institute’s perimeter.
Shettima noted that a comprehensive action plan and timeline for permanent security reinforcement, covering surveillance, personnel, access control and emergency systems, must be submitted to the Office of the Vice President within 72 hours.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has directed that emergency security measures be activated at once, with the DG to coordinate with the Armed Forces, the Police, and the DSS to fortify the perimeter without delay.
“On the President’s order, a comprehensive action plan and timeline for permanent reinforcement, covering surveillance, personnel, access control, and emergency systems, must be submitted to the Office of the Vice President within seventy-two hours. Weekly progress reports will follow until full completion. No future attack must find us unprepared,” Shettima said.
But security operatives at NIPSS, on Wednesday night, repelled another attack by suspected gunmen, killing one of the assailants during a gun battle.
The attack occurred at about 11 pm when the gunmen reportedly attempted to breach the institute’s security perimeter but were repelled by security personnel.
The institute confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Thursday by its Head of Public Affairs, Dr Osime Samuel.
According to the statement, the attackers engaged security operatives in a gun duel but retreated following what it described as a swift and coordinated response by security forces.
It added that one of the assailants was killed during the exchange of fire, while others escaped with varying degrees of injuries.
“The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, wishes to inform the public that another attempt by unidentified armed assailants to breach the Institute’s security perimeter was successfully repelled by security personnel late yesterday night, Wednesday, 1 July 2026.
“The attackers engaged security operatives in a gun duel but were forced to retreat following the swift and coordinated response of the security forces. One of the assailants was neutralised during the encounter, while others were reported to have escaped with varying degrees of injuries.
“The Institute is pleased to report that there was no breach of the security perimeter. All participants, staff, residents and Institute facilities remain safe and secure.
“Security agencies have intensified efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects, while surveillance and other proactive security measures have been further strengthened within and around the Institute,” the statement read.
The institute reassured participants, staff, their families and the public that the security of lives and property remained its highest priority, while urging residents to disregard misinformation capable of causing panic.