By Ado Oyeyemi
Gunmen suspected to be armed criminals on Monday night launched an attack on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State, leaving at least three persons dead, including a police officer.
The assailants reportedly stormed the area around 11:40 p.m. and opened fire on security personnel stationed at the entrance of the institute, sparking a gun battle with security operatives guarding the facility.
A staff member of the institute, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said residents and workers were thrown into panic as gunshots echoed through the area.
“I was asleep when I suddenly heard gunfire. At first, I thought it was a misunderstanding, but the shooting intensified and caused panic within the institute.
It later became clear that the facility was under attack,” the source said.
According to him, security operatives responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of gunfire, preventing them from breaching the institute’s premises.
He disclosed that two security personnel stationed at the gate were killed during the attack before the gunmen fled the scene.
“Security reinforcement arrived quickly and forced the attackers to retreat. Unfortunately, they succeeded in killing two people at the gate, including a soldier and a police officer,” the source added.
Another account indicated that three persons lost their lives during the incident, among them a policeman and another member of the security team attached to the institute.
A resident of Kuru, Bulus Haruna, said the prolonged gunfire sent fear across neighbouring communities, with many residents staying indoors throughout the attack.
“The sound of gunshots lasted for several minutes, creating panic among residents of surrounding communities,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, the motive behind the attack had yet to be established.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls to the command’s spokesperson were not answered.
The management of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, however, confirmed that a security breach occurred around the institution in the early hours of Tuesday.
In a statement issued by the institute’s Head of Public Affairs, Osime Samuel, management said the situation was promptly contained through the intervention of security agencies.
“The situation was swiftly brought under control through the coordinated response of security personnel and relevant agencies. There is currently no threat to the safety of participants, staff, residents or facilities of the institute, and normal activities are continuing,” the statement said.
The institute added that security agencies had commenced investigations into the incident and urged members of the public to disregard unverified reports circulating on social media.
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It further assured stakeholders that verified information would be released as investigations progress, reiterating its commitment to the safety and security of all members of the institute community.
