The Federal Government has unveiled a new operational framework designed to improve the reintegration of former terrorists and other individuals involved in armed violence as part of efforts to strengthen peace and security across Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Monday in Abuja by the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser, Major General Adamu Laka, during the National Validation Workshop on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme.
The workshop focused on the implementation of the framework at the federal level and in the pilot states of Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara.
According to Laka, the initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy of addressing insecurity through non-military approaches while promoting lasting peace in communities affected by conflict.
He explained that the newly developed Standard Operating Procedures are intended to provide clear operational guidelines for agencies responsible for implementing the DDR programme.
Laka said the procedures are expected to improve coordination among participating institutions, promote accountability and transparency, and strengthen collaboration between security agencies and civilian organisations.
He noted that the Federal Government recognised that the existing policy framework alone was not sufficient to ensure effective implementation, making it necessary to develop more detailed operational guidelines.
According to him, the framework was produced after extensive consultations with stakeholders and was shaped by Nigeria’s security challenges as well as international best practices.
The NCTC added that the SOPs clearly define the responsibilities of all participating institutions and establish uniform standards for carrying out reintegration programmes across the country, with the aim of ensuring a more coordinated and effective implementation process.
