… As VP conveys President’s condolences to families of slain soldiers, policeman

… FG to take responsibility for welfare of fallen security personnel’s children

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 institution’s perimeter that claimed the lives of two soldiers and a police officer.

The President, who conveyed the directive through Vice President Kashim Shettima during a visit to participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 48 at the institute on Friday, said the attack had strengthened the Federal Government’s determination to protect strategic national institutions and ensure that similar incidents do not catch the country unprepared.

Shettima disclosed that Tinubu had directed the activation of emergency security measures at the institute and mandated the Director-General of NIPSS to work closely with the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to fortify the facility without delay.

He said a comprehensive action plan covering surveillance systems, personnel deployment, access control mechanisms and emergency response infrastructure must be submitted to the Office of the Vice President within 72 hours, with weekly progress reports thereafter until the security upgrade is fully implemented.

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said “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,” the Vice President said.

Describing NIPSS as Nigeria’s strategic intellectual nerve centre, Shettima said safeguarding the institution must be treated as a national security priority.

He noted that while the attackers intended to spread fear and disrupt the training of future leaders, the incident instead exposed the courage, discipline and resilience of participants, management and security personnel at the institute.

“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 said.

The Vice President assured staff and participants that their safety remained non-negotiable and pledged full government support for the families of the slain security personnel.

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 stated.

Shettima further declared that those behind the attack would not succeed in undermining the institute’s purpose and spirit.

Commending members of SEC 48 for their conduct during the attack, he said their composure under pressure demonstrated their preparedness for higher national responsibilities.

“When darkness came to the gates of this Institute, it expected to find people who would scatter into the night. It found instead men and women who stood their ground.

“You did not flee. You did not abandon your colleagues. You faced the worst that cruelty could send, and you answered it with composure, with courage, and with the steady discipline of people who understand exactly why they were summoned to this place,” he said.

The Vice President also praised the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, for his leadership and swift coordination with security agencies, which he said ensured rapid reinforcement, secured the perimeter and accounted for all participants and staff.

“In a moment that tested this Institute to its core, your calm command turned crisis into control. On behalf of the President and the nation, I thank you,” he said.

He similarly commended the Director of Studies, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, for coordinating the safety of participants and staff during the emergency.

Earlier, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support and empathy following the incident.

Mutfwang announced the approval of requests by NIPSS management for the establishment of a buffer zone around the institution and the installation of security lighting and other protective measures to be implemented by the state government.

He also paid tribute to the fallen security personnel and lauded the bravery of staff and course participants who helped repel the attack and prevent the attackers from breaching the institution.

In his remarks, Ayo Omotayo presented an incident report to the Vice President and appealed for enhanced surveillance infrastructure, including CCTV coverage and additional security personnel for the institute.

Representatives of SEC 48 participants, Dr. Toyin Sanni and Dr. Kabiru Abba, said the course participants were reassured by the Federal Government’s commitment to their safety and remained focused on completing their programme at the institute.

(The Nation)

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