Security operatives at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State, have repelled another attack by suspected gunmen, killing one of the assailants during a gun battle.
The attempted attack occurred late Wednesday night when the armed men allegedly tried to breach the institute’s security perimeter but were met with resistance from security personnel.
The incident was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by the institute’s Head of Public Affairs, Dr. Osime Samuel.
According to the statement, security operatives engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing them to retreat before gaining access to the facility.
“The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies 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 on Wednesday night,” the statement read.
It added that one of the attackers was killed during the encounter, while others escaped with varying degrees of injuries.
“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 statement added.
The institute said the security perimeter remained intact, stressing that participants, staff, residents and facilities were not harmed during the incident.
“There was no breach of the security perimeter. All participants, staff, residents and institute facilities remain safe and secure,” it stated.
The institute disclosed that security agencies had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects while strengthening surveillance and other proactive security measures within and around the facility.
It also reassured participants, staff, their families and the public that the protection of lives and property remains its top priority, urging residents to disregard misinformation capable of causing panic.
The latest attack comes less than two weeks after suspected gunmen attacked the institute and surrounding community, leaving three people, including security personnel, dead and prompting authorities to reinforce security around the nation’s foremost policy and leadership training institution.
