The Federal Government has unveiled a new operational framework to strengthen the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) of former terrorists and other individuals who have renounced armed violence across Nigeria.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, announced the initiative during the National Validation Workshop on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration held in Abuja.
According to Laka, the new framework is part of the government’s broader strategy to tackle insecurity by combining military operations with non-military approaches aimed at promoting lasting peace and stability in conflict-affected communities.
He explained that the Standard Operating Procedures were developed to provide clear guidelines for ministries, security agencies, civil institutions and other organisations involved in implementing the DDR programme. The framework is expected to improve coordination, accountability and consistency in identifying, processing and reintegrating former combatants.
Laka noted that the procedures translate the objectives of the National DDR Framework into practical steps that implementing agencies can follow, while clearly defining the responsibilities of each participating institution.
He added that the guidelines were developed after extensive consultations with security agencies, government institutions and peacebuilding organisations, drawing from Nigeria’s experiences, international best practices and the country’s unique security realities.
Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara have been selected as pilot states for the implementation of the new procedures due to the security challenges they have faced in recent years. The pilot phase will allow the government to evaluate the effectiveness of the framework before extending it to other parts of the country.
The NCTC coordinator emphasised that military operations alone cannot permanently address insecurity, noting that effective reintegration programmes can help prevent former fighters from returning to criminal activities while promoting reconciliation and supporting the recovery of affected communities.
He also stressed that the success of the programme will depend on strong collaboration among government agencies, security institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders committed to restoring peace and public safety.
