Two soldiers and one police officer were reportedly killed last week Monday after gunmen attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos in Plateau State.
The attack occurred late in the night and resulted in a gun battle between the assailants and security personnel stationed at the institute, which prevented the assailants from breaching the facility. NIPSS Director-General, Professor Ayo Omotayo later confirmed the incident.
NIPSS is Nigeria’s foremost policy institute. Senior government officials, including those in the military, the police, and the public service, are required to undergo leadership courses at the institute.
The attack at NIPSS is one attack too many in Plateau State. In the last few weeks, the state has become a killing field with bandits and terrorists attacking communities at night unchallenged.
On February 23, 2026, assailants attacked Marit village in the Gashish district of Barkin Ladi LGA, killing six people. Then on March 29, 2026, in Jos North LGA, gunmen launched an overnight Palm Sunday attack on the Angwan Rukuba community resulting in the deaths of over 24 residents. The incident prompted the Plateau State Government to impose a 48-hour curfew.
Not done with their heinous attack on Plateau, the bandits moved to Bassa and Riyom LGAs between April 18 and 19, 2026, where a string of coordinated overnight attacks across Kpasho, Hurum Gashish, and Shonong Bachi villages left eight people dead and many other wounded.
And within this month of June alone, there have been deadly gunmen attacks in Barkin Ladi and Bokkos LGAs. For example, on June 1, 2026, gunmen stormed Gwon-Ajang village in the Foron District at about 10 p.m opening fire on a crowd that gathered for a birthday celebration and in the process killed eight people and injured 10 others. Then the recent attacks on the Kawel and Kopkon communities in the Mushere District that resulted in the death of at least 20 people.
The persistent attacks on communities in Plateau state in particular and Nigeria as a whole raise severe concerns about the safety of lives in our nation. Driven by complex resource disputes, ethnic tensions, and systemic security failures, the violence has left many killed and thousands displaced prompting widespread criticism of the authorities’ ability to protect vulnerable rural communities.
The attack on NIPSS is not the first of its kind on our National Institutions. The Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, several military and police formations have in the past suffered one form of attack or the other, often resulting in casualties.
This is why this Newspaper believes that the time for the Federal Government and all its security managers to be proactive is now. For security authorities in Nigeria, transiting from reactive crisis-management to proactive threat prevention is essential. It shifts the focus from merely responding to kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism to neutralizing these threats before they occur, ultimately saving lives, protecting property and restoring public trust.
By acting on actionable intelligence rather than responding after an attack, authorities can apprehend sponsors, informants, and operatives before they strike. Hence, anticipatory patrolling and localized surveillance in high-risk communities and zones especially in Plateau, Niger, and Borno States will prevent these midnight gunmen attacks, kidnappings and mass displacements.
To successfully tackle the current wave of criminality, Nigeria must embrace intelligence-driving policing. This can be done by upgrading and deploying modern technology, such as drones, GPS tracking, and localized communication networks. This will enable the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to pinpoint and intercept threats early.
There must be deliberate collaboration between our security forces and local vigilantes, community leaders, and state policing initiatives. This is because locals understand the terrain of their localities, as their information is vital for preempting attacks.
Nigerian borders are the most porous in the world making it difficult for security agencies to combat the influx of criminals from neighbouring countries. To curtail this menace, there is the need for security agencies to improve their cross-border security. This is by enhancing surveillance and patrols at porous entry points and borders to halt the illegal trafficking of arms and foreign criminal elements.
Finally, there should be swift prosecution of arrested suspects. We must fast-track our judicial process so that those arrested for crimes against the people and the state are decisively and transparently prosecuted. This will serve as a strong deterrent to potential criminals.
It is hoped that by prioritizing intelligence, inter-agency coordination, and localized engagement, security agencies can stay one step ahead of threats to maintain lasting peace and stability in Nigeria.
When our communities are secured , farming, local trade and businesses can thrive without the constant threats and extortion by terrorists.
Furthermore, we must restate that the security of lives and property is everybody’s business. The ongoing wave of killings and kidnappings across the country should put every Nigerian on alert irrespective of tribe, religion, or political affiliation.