By Paul Joseph
Troops of Sector VI of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, have foiled another attack by suspected armed assailants on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Plateau State, recovering a stolen Nigerian Army service rifle during the operation.
According to the Nigerian Army, the attack occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on Thursday when the gunmen attempted to breach the institute’s perimeter under the cover of darkness.
Security forces swiftly engaged the attackers in a gun battle, killing one of the suspects, while others reportedly fled with gunshot wounds into nearby highlands.
The Army said no soldier or security personnel was killed during the exchange. Troops recovered an AK-pattern rifle bearing registration number CO-3175, loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, from the neutralised suspect.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the weapon belonged to a Nigerian Army soldier who was killed during an earlier encounter with armed militia at the Federal College of Land Resources Technology in Vom on April 11. The rifle had been taken by the attackers during that incident.
The recovered weapon has since been returned to military custody, while the body of the slain suspect was evacuated to a mortuary through the appropriate authorities.
The Army said troops have intensified patrols, clearance operations and manhunts around NIPSS Kuru and neighbouring communities to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks.
It reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding strategic national institutions, protecting lives and restoring lasting peace in Plateau State, while urging residents to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
The latest attack comes less than three weeks after gunmen invaded the staff quarters of NIPSS, killing two soldiers and a police officer attached to the institute.
Following the June 16 attack, NIPSS confirmed the deaths of the security personnel but assured that the situation had been brought under control through the swift intervention of security agencies, adding that participants, staff and facilities at the institute remained safe.
Reports indicated that the attackers had earlier issued handwritten threat notes demanding ransom from two senior officials of the institute before carrying out the assault.
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