President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate and permanent reinforcement of security at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, following a recent bandit attack on the institute’s perimeter.
The directive comes after an incident that claimed the lives of two soldiers and one police officer, prompting heightened federal security response around the strategic national institution.
Speaking on Friday through Vice President Kashim Shettima during an address to participants of Senior Executive Course 48, 2026, President Tinubu extended condolences to the families of the fallen security personnel.
Shettima said the President had instructed that emergency security measures be activated immediately, with the Director-General of NIPSS directed to coordinate with the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services to strengthen the institute’s perimeter.
He added that a comprehensive action plan and implementation timeline for permanent security reinforcement—including surveillance systems, personnel deployment, access control, and emergency response structures—must be submitted to the Office of the Vice President within 72 hours, followed by weekly progress reports.
“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… within seventy-two hours,” Shettima stated.
The Vice President described NIPSS as a critical national asset and Nigeria’s strategic policy think tank, stressing that its protection is a matter of national security priority.
He said the attack was intended to instill fear and disrupt leadership training, but instead highlighted the courage and discipline of participants and security personnel at the institute.
Shettima expressed condolences on behalf of the Federal Government, describing the slain officers as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
“We mourn with you. We share your pain. And we honour their sacrifice,” he said.
He assured that the welfare of the families of the deceased would be prioritised, adding that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
According to him, the Federal Government has also directed immediate reinforcement of security across NIPSS and other strategic national institutions to prevent future attacks.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State commended the Federal Government’s response and approved additional state-level measures, including a buffer zone and improved lighting around the institute.
He also praised the bravery of security personnel and participants who resisted the attack, describing their actions as critical to preventing a worse outcome.
NIPSS Director-General, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, presented an incident report during the visit, calling for enhanced surveillance infrastructure, including CCTV coverage and additional security deployments.
He noted that the attack highlights broader vulnerabilities around critical national institutions and stressed the need for sustained protection measures.
Participants of Senior Executive Course 48 also expressed appreciation for the government’s swift intervention and reaffirmed their commitment to completing their programme despite the incident.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that no future attack finds Nigeria’s strategic institutions unprotected.
