Gunmen on Monday night attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State, leaving at least three people feared dead, including a police officer.
Diaspora Digital Media gathered that the attack, which occurred around 11:40 p.m., threw the area into panic as residents and staff members were jolted awake by sustained gunfire.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants stormed the gate of the institute and opened fire on security personnel stationed there, sparking a fierce exchange of gunfire.
A staff member of the institute, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the sound of gunshots caused confusion within the facility.
“I was asleep when I heard gunshots. At first, I wasn’t sure what was happening, but it quickly became clear that the institute was under attack,” the staff member said.
According to the source, security operatives responded swiftly, preventing the attackers from breaching the facility.
“Thank God reinforcements arrived quickly and the attackers fled. But they killed two security personnel at the gate before escaping. A soldier and a policeman were among the victims,” the source said.
Another account indicated that three people lost their lives during the incident, including a police officer and another member of the security detail attached to the institute.
Residents of nearby communities were also gripped by fear as the gunfire echoed across the area.
A resident of Kuru in Jos South Local Government Area, Bulus Haruna, said many people remained indoors as the shooting lasted for several minutes.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful as of press time, while authorities at the institute initially declined to comment.
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of Public Affairs Department, Osime Samuel, NIPSS confirmed that a security incident occurred near the institute in the early hours of the day.
“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 read.
The institute said security agencies had commenced investigations into the incident and urged the public to rely only on verified information from official channels.
“As investigations are ongoing, it would be premature to speculate on the nature, scope, or outcome of the event. The Institute is therefore unable to confirm details currently circulating on social media and other unofficial platforms,” it added.
NIPSS reiterated its commitment to the safety of its community and commended security agencies for their swift response to the attack.
