Gunmen attack NIPSS Kuru near Jos, 2 soldiers and 1 police officer killed before raid is repelled

By Victor Idajili

Nigeria’s top policy school came under fire late Monday night as gunmen tried to break into the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru. Two soldiers and one police officer were killed before security forces drove the attackers back.

The assault started around 11:00 p.m. on June 15, 2026. Armed men attempted to force their way into the institute and head for the residential quarters where course participants were staying. 

A police officer serving as orderly to a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police was among those killed, along with two soldiers who died in the gun battle that followed. 

Security personnel stationed at NIPSS responded quickly and blocked the attackers from reaching the participants’ wing. No participants were taken. “No participant was abducted because the security forces successfully repelled the attackers before they could enter the residential area,” a source close to the incident said.

In an early Tuesday release, NIPSS management confirmed that “a security incident occurred in the vicinity of the Institute in the early hours of today.” The statement said the situation was brought under control swiftly by security personnel and other agencies.

“There is currently no threat to the safety of participants, staff, residents, or facilities of the Institute, and normal activities are continuing as scheduled,” said Dr. Osime Samuel, mni, Head of Public Affairs.

The institute added that investigations are ongoing and it would be “premature to speculate on the nature, scope, or outcome of the event.” It urged the public and media to rely on official updates rather than social media reports.

As of Tuesday morning, authorities had not released an official statement on what motivated the attack. Security around the institute has been reinforced and a manhunt for the gunmen has begun.

NIPSS Kuru trains senior bureaucrats, military officers, and policy strategists — essentially Nigeria’s policy brain trust. The fact that the attack came at night with participants on campus has raised fresh concerns about insecurity extending into elite institutions.

For now, classes are continuing and participants are safe. But three security personnel lost their lives holding the line.