Troops of the Nigerian Army have repelled a midnight attack on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing one suspected terrorist and recovering a service rifle stolen from a soldier killed earlier this year.
The attempted attack occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on Thursday when armed assailants reportedly breached the institute’s perimeter under the cover of darkness and opened fire on troops guarding the facility.
The incident came just days after the institute dismissed reports alleging that terrorists had attacked the strategic government facility.
According to the Nigerian Army, troops of Sector 6, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE responded swiftly, engaging the attackers in a gun battle that left one suspect dead, while others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
No casualties were recorded among the troops.
The Army said an AK-pattern rifle loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition was recovered from the slain suspect.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the weapon belonged to a Nigerian Army soldier who was killed during an encounter with militia members at the Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Vom, on April 11.
Military authorities said the rifle has been taken into custody for forensic examination as investigators seek to establish possible links between the attackers and previous violent incidents in the Kuru–Vom axis.
The body of the deceased suspect has also been evacuated through the appropriate authorities.
Following the failed attack, troops intensified patrols, clearance operations and pursuit missions around NIPSS and neighbouring communities to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks.
In a separate operation, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA arrested a suspected armourer and logistics courier during an intelligence-led raid on Obiakpu Forest along the Akpe Aggah–Egbema Forest axis in Imo State.
The Army said preliminary investigations identified the suspect as the principal armourer for a criminal group responsible for attacks on oil facilities and security personnel in the Ohaji-Egbema area.
Weapons recovered during the operation included an AK-47 rifle, an M4A1 carbine, an M16A2 rifle, five pump-action guns, a locally fabricated pistol, six magazines and a large quantity of assorted ammunition.
The Army said the suspect is in custody and is assisting investigators in identifying other members and collaborators of the criminal network.
Also, troops of Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA dismantled an illegal firearms manufacturing syndicate in Kebbi State.
The operation led to the arrest of two suspected arms manufacturers and the recovery of five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles from a concealed workshop.
According to the Army, the syndicate is believed to have supplied locally made weapons to terrorist groups operating in the region.
Investigations are ongoing to identify financiers and other collaborators linked to the illegal arms network.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled a night attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on the Forward Operating Base at Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military said the insurgents retreated after a fierce gun battle in which troops inflicted heavy casualties and recovered several weapons, including AK-47 rifles, magazines and Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes.
Surveillance later confirmed that the fleeing terrorists evacuated several dead and wounded fighters from the battlefield.
However, the Army disclosed that two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force lost their lives during the encounter.
A reinforcement team from Monguno later detected and safely detonated two improvised explosive devices planted along the route used by the fleeing insurgents.
