The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Task Team to coordinate disarmament and reintegration seeking to bring greater order to programs aimed at reducing terrorism, banditry and other armed crimes across the country.
The Team was inaugurated in Abuja by Major General Adamu Laka, Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre ( NCTC), on behalf of National Security Adviser, NSA Nuhu Ribadu.
Its mandate is to develop a coherent, nationally owned DDR framework rather than rely on fragmented federal and state initiatives.
Laka said existing efforts—including Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, the Borno Model, the Presidential Amnesty Programme and state-led rehabilitation programs—had produced useful lessons but also exposed the need for common standards, clearer responsibilities and stronger coordination.
The team will coordinate the NCTC, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience, and relevant state committees.
It is also expected to work with diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies, development partners and private-sector groups.
Its immediate objectives include resolving overlapping mandates, assessing institutional readiness, supporting sustainable livelihoods and establishing a Whole-of-Government Working Group.
He added that the goal is an implementable national roadmap, not an additional layer of bureaucracy.
With support from the U.K ‘s SPRiNG Program, the NCTC plans a high-level national retreat to settle questions of capacity, legal and operational requirements, sequencing, financing and partnerships.
The center is also exploring an international partners’ group and a national fund for DDR, peace and security to mobilize and manage resources transparently.
Laka said all interventions would be victim-centered, lawful and accountable—language that reflects growing scrutiny of reintegration programs for former militants and terrorism suspects.
Nigeria previously adopted standard operating procedures for DDR and said individuals accused of serious crimes would still face prosecution.
Speaking, Abimbola Wonosikou, the NCTC’s Director for preventing and countering violent extremism and the task force lead, accepted the assignment on behalf of the team.
She said the group would seek to harmonize existing initiatives, clarify stakeholder roles and support implementation of the emerging DDR architecture.
Wonosikou also asked for authority to co-opt additional ministries, departments and agencies as needed, saying flexibility would help close representation gaps and respond to technical requirements.
