The Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Ayo Omotayo, has formally expressed regret to the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, His Royal Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba, following widespread outrage over comments he made during a television interview after the attempted attack on the Institute.
Omotayo’a apology comes as security forces have arrested another suspect in connection with the recent attempted attack on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, as investigators intensify efforts to unravel what authorities believe may be a wider network behind the assault.
The latest suspect, identified as Paul Kolsen, was reportedly apprehended while receiving treatment for a gunshot wound suspected to have been sustained during the July 2 gun battle between troops and the attackers.
According to security sources quoted by security analyst Zagazola Makama, troops attached to Sector 6 arrested Kolsen at Farm Center at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday after acting on credible intelligence that a wounded suspect linked to the attack was undergoing medical treatment.
Investigators allege that Kolsen is a member of a Berom militia group believed to have participated in the attempted assault on the country’s foremost policy think tank. He is currently in custody and is being interrogated over his alleged role in the attack, as well as possible connections to other suspects already arrested or still at large.
His arrest is being viewed by security agencies as another significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation, which has gathered momentum following a series of intelligence-led operations launched after the attempted invasion of the NIPSS facility.
During the July 2 incident, troops engaged suspected militia members in a fierce exchange of gunfire, killing one of the attackers while several others escaped into the surrounding rocky terrain.
The military subsequently launched coordinated follow-up operations, combining ground patrols with intelligence gathering to track down fleeing suspects. Those operations have since led to multiple arrests, according to security sources.
The investigation took another dramatic turn with the recovery of a military service rifle bearing registration number CO-3175 during the operation.
Military authorities reportedly traced the weapon to a soldier who was killed during an attack on troops at the Federal College of Land Resources Technology in Vom on April 11, raising fresh concerns about possible operational links between the two incidents.
Security agencies are now examining how the rifle allegedly moved from the scene of the April attack into the possession of individuals suspected of participating in the attempted assault on NIPSS.
Investigators believe the outcome of the ongoing probe could determine whether the attacks on security personnel and strategic institutions across the Kuru–Vom axis were orchestrated by the same criminal network or by separate groups working in coordination.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the latest arrest, but security operations in the area remain active as efforts continue to identify and apprehend other suspects linked to the attac
Professor Omotayo had come under intense criticism on social media after suggesting during the interview that there were reports linking the attack to a “Berom militia,” a remark that drew angry reactions from Berom groups, community leaders and other Nigerians, who accused him of profiling an ethnic group and making unsubstantiated allegations. The comments led to calls for a retraction and apology, with many insisting that such statements could inflame tensions in Plateau State.
Apparently responding to the backlash, the NIPSS Director General, in a letter dated Monday, July 6, 2026, addressed to the Gbong Gwom Jos, expressed profound regret over the misunderstanding created by his remarks.
Recall that there had been an attempted attack on the institute, after others that had claimed lives. Security agencies had launched investigations into the latest incident.
During the interview, Omotayo said he had received repeated anonymous phone calls from people claiming to be “Berom militias.”
According to him, the callers threatened to reclaim what they described as ancestral land occupied by NIPSS unless compensation was paid.
He said these calls informed his remarks and insisted he was referring to the claims made by the callers and to reports already circulating publicly, not making a blanket accusation against the Berom ethnic group.
According to a statement issued by the Institute’s Head of Public Affairs, Dr. Osime Samuel, Professor Omotayo explained that he was responding to questions during a rapidly evolving security situation and merely referred to reports and speculations that were already in the public domain.
He maintained that he neither intended to hold the Berom people responsible for the attempted attack on the Institute nor suggest the existence of any organised militia associated with the Berom Nation.
The Director General also conveyed his sincere apologies to the Berom Nation for the unintended offence and distress his comments may have caused, while appealing to the traditional ruler to convey his message of goodwill and reconciliation to the Berom people.
Professor Omotayo reaffirmed his respect for the Berom Nation, describing the community as one of the principal host communities of NIPSS. He noted that the Institute has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the Berom people, built on trust, cooperation and a shared commitment to peace and national development.
He further highlighted several community-based initiatives undertaken by the Institute under his leadership, including annual summer coaching programmes for students, ICT and digital skills training for youths, mentorship programmes in selected secondary schools, support for girl-child education and empowerment, and other community-impact projects.
According to him, the programmes reflect the Institute’s belief that the wellbeing of its host communities is closely tied to its own success and stability.
Professor Omotayo appealed to residents and other stakeholders to remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from actions or statements capable of escalating tensions while security agencies continue investigations into the attempted attack on the Institute.
He reiterated NIPSS’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and constructive engagement with all host communities, assuring that the Institute would continue to support initiatives that promote unity, security and sustainable development.
Acccording to security sources quoted by security analyst Zagazola Makama, troops attached to Sector 6 arrested Kolsen at Farm Center at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday after acting on credible intelligence that a wounded suspect linked to the attack was undergoing medical treatment.
Investigators allege that Kolsen is a member of a Berom militia group believed to have participated in the attempted assault on the country’s foremost policy think tank. He is currently in custody and is being interrogated over his alleged role in the attack, as well as possible connections to other suspects already arrested or still at large.
His arrest is being viewed by security agencies as another significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation, which has gathered momentum following a series of intelligence-led operations launched after the attempted invasion of the NIPSS facility.
During the July 2 incident, troops engaged suspected militia members in a fierce exchange of gunfire, killing one of the attackers while several others escaped into the surrounding rocky terrain.
The military subsequently launched coordinated follow-up operations, combining ground patrols with intelligence gathering to track down fleeing suspects. Those operations have since led to multiple arrests, according to security sources.
The investigation took another dramatic turn with the recovery of a military service rifle bearing registration number CO-3175 during the operation.
Military authorities reportedly traced the weapon to a soldier who was killed during an attack on troops at the Federal College of Land Resources Technology in Vom on April 11, raising fresh concerns about possible operational links between the two incidents.
Security agencies are now examining how the rifle allegedly moved from the scene of the April attack into the possession of individuals suspected of participating in the attempted assault on NIPSS.
Investigators believe the outcome of the ongoing probe could determine whether the attacks on security personnel and strategic institutions across the Kuru–Vom axis were orchestrated by the same criminal network or by separate groups working in coordination.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the latest arrest, but security operations in the area remain active as efforts continue to identify and apprehend other suspects linked to the attack