National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate and permanent reinforcement of security at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, following a recent attack on the institution’s perimeter that claimed the lives of two soldiers and a police officer.
The directive was conveyed on Friday by Vice President Kashim Shettima during a visit to the institute, where he addressed participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 48 on behalf of the President.
According to the Vice President, the attack has strengthened the Federal Government’s resolve to protect critical national institutions, support security personnel and ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
Expressing the condolences of the Federal Government, Shettima sympathised with the families of the fallen security personnel and assured them of government support.
“I come to you with a heavy heart and a firm spirit. A banditry attack on the perimeter of NIPSS claimed the lives of two gallant soldiers and one courageous policeman. To their families, to the Nigerian Armed Forces, and to the Nigeria Police Force, I extend, on behalf of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the entire Federal Government, our deepest condolences.
“We mourn with you. We share your pain. And we honour their sacrifice,” he was quoted as saying.
The Vice President announced that President Tinubu had ordered the activation of emergency security measures at the institute, directing the Director-General of NIPSS to work closely with the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to strengthen security around the facility.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has directed that emergency security measures be activated at once, with the DG to coordinate with the Armed Forces, the Police, and the DSS to fortify the perimeter without delay.
“On the President’s order, a comprehensive action plan and timeline for permanent reinforcement, covering surveillance, personnel, access control, and emergency systems, must be submitted to the Office of the Vice President within seventy-two hours. Weekly progress reports will follow until full completion. No future attack must find us unprepared,” he added.
Shettima described NIPSS as Nigeria’s strategic intellectual nerve centre and a vital national asset whose protection must remain a top national security priority.
He noted that although the attackers intended to create fear and disrupt the training of future leaders, the incident instead demonstrated the courage, resilience and discipline of participants, management and security personnel at the institute.
Addressing staff and participants, the Vice President assured them that their safety remained a priority for the Federal Government.
“Your safety is non-negotiable. The President has directed the immediate reinforcement of security around NIPSS and all strategic institutions. The sacrifice of those three brave men will not be in vain. Their children will be our children. Their welfare will be our responsibility,” he said.
He further stressed that those responsible for the attack would not succeed in undermining the purpose and mission of the institute.
