Gunmen on Monday night attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, in Plateau State, killing two soldiers and a police officer deployed to protect the institution’s staff quarters.

The victims were reportedly on duty when the attackers struck the residential area of the institute.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Tuesday, the Head of Public Affairs of NIPSS, Dr. Osime Samuel, said a security breach occurred in the vicinity of the institute but assured that the situation had been brought under control.

“The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, wishes to inform the public that a security incident occurred in the vicinity of the Institute in the early hours of today,” he said.

According to Samuel, the swift intervention of security personnel prevented further escalation, adding that there was no immediate threat to participants, staff, residents, or facilities of the institute.

“There is currently no threat to the safety of participants, staff, residents, or facilities of the Institute. Normal activities are continuing as scheduled,” he stated.

Sources, however, disclosed that the attackers allegedly targeted the residences of the Acting Director of Studies, Barrister Nima Salman-Mann, and a Directing Staff member, Professor Haruna Dabin.

The sources revealed that both officials had reportedly received handwritten threat notes pasted on their doors on Saturday, demanding payments of $100,000 and N15 million respectively. The matter was said to have been reported to the institute’s management.

A source familiar with the incident said the soldiers and police officer lost their lives during an exchange of gunfire with the attackers.

“During the day, local security personnel monitor the staff quarters, while soldiers and police officers provide security at night. It is believed the attackers came for the officials they had earlier threatened,” the source said.

NIPSS management said security agencies have commenced investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those responsible.

The institute urged members of the public and the media to rely on official communications while investigations continue.

“NIPSS is working closely with the appropriate authorities and will provide verified information as soon as it becomes available. We urge members of the public and the media to rely on official communications from the Institute and relevant security agencies,” Samuel added.

The management reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and security of staff, participants, and residents, while commending the professionalism of security personnel involved in responding to the incident.

The bodies of the slain security operatives have reportedly been deposited in a mortuary as investigations continue.

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Professor Ayo Omotayo, the Director-General of NIPSS, made this call during a visit to the CBN by participants of the institute’s Senior Executive Course Programme, Study Group 6.

“We at NIPSS believe that we can achieve 12 percent growth of our economy, GDP growth, year in and year out for the next five years if we are serious about it. If it’s going to work, the CBN is very critical in ensuring that it works.

A whole lot of what is going to happen in Nigeria in the next five years depends on how successful CBN drives everything,” Omotayo said.

He emphasized the importance of digitalization in driving financial inclusion, highlighting the need for almost every service to be delivered digitally, including healthcare.

Omotayo presented a scenario where medicine purchases could be linked to a user’s phone and pharmacology delivered electronically.

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In response, the CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso, represented by the Deputy Governor of Corporate Services Dr. Bala M. Bello, acknowledged Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Cardoso reiterated the CBN’s commitment to leveraging digital technologies for financial inclusion, productivity growth, and fostering an environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.

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He assured NIPSS members that the CBN is committed to harnessing the power of digital technologies to enhance financial inclusion, boost productivity, and create an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship to thrive.

This collaboration between NIPSS and the CBN could potentially drive significant economic growth and development in Nigeria, particularly through the digitalization of key services and sectors.

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