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By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Task Team to drive coherent, coordinated and nationally-owned approach to addressing violent extremism, terrorism and other armed violence.
The Task Team was inaugurated on Friday in Abuja by the National Coordinator of National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, on behalf of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
In his remarks, Laka said the inauguration marked an important milestone for the centre, as it entrusted a selected group of professionals with advancing Nigeria’s DDR agenda.
He said members of the task team were carefully chosen based on their pedigree, experience and contribution to peace and security.
“You are carefully chosen on the strength of your pedigree, experience and sterling contributions to this cause thus far.
“Each member brings valuable knowledge, technical competence and a record of service.
“We are confident that, working collectively, you will provide the leadership, judgement and commitment required to translate national aspirations into practical results,” he said.
The NCTC coordinator said the establishment of the team was timely, noting that initiatives such as Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, the Borno Model, the Presidential Amnesty Programme and state-led rehabilitation and reintegration efforts had yielded important lessons and reinforced the need for common national standards and stronger coordination.
He disclosed that the national policy framework and strategy for DDR was developed through consultations across the six geopolitical zones with government, security and justice institutions, community leaders, civil society, women, young people, affected communities and development partners.
He acknowledged the support of the United Kingdom’s Strengthening Peace and Resilience Group (UK: SPRiNG) and the technical contributions of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
He also acknowledged the support of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners.
According to him, the task team will strengthen cooperation among the centre, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience and relevant state committees.
He said the team would also engage government institutions, diplomatic missions, UN agencies, development partners and the private sector to clarify roles, address overlaps, assess readiness and support sustainable livelihoods.
“The team is expected to build institutional consensus, secure effective partnerships, resolve coordination barriers and lay the foundation for a Whole-of-Government Working Group and an implementable national roadmap,” he said.
He added that with support from UK: SPRiNG, the centre intended to convene a High-Level National Retreat to clarify responsibilities and advance decisions on capacity, legal and operational requirements, sequencing, financing and partnerships.
“Its work must complement existing mandates rather than create another layer of bureaucracy,” he emphasised.
Laka said the centre was further exploring an international partners’ group and a national fund for DDR, Peace and Security to coordinate partnerships, mobilise resources transparently and sustain financing.
“All interventions will be victim-centred, lawful and accountable,” he added.
Responding on behalf of the team, the Director, Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), NCTC and DDR task force Lead, Amb. Abimbola Wonosikou, thanked the national coordinator for the confidence reposed in them.
Wonosikou said the responsibility came at a critical time as Nigeria continued to advance comprehensive and sustainable approaches to violent extremism and associated security challenges.
“We accept this responsibility with a deep sense of commitment, patriotism and dedication to serve our nation.
“We assure the national coordinator that the task team will work diligently and collaboratively to advance the objectives of the national DDR initiative and support the effective implementation of the emerging DDR architecture,” she assured.
Wonosikou added that the inauguration represented an important step towards strengthening institutional coordination, harmonising existing DDR initiatives and clarifying roles and responsibilities of stakeholders.
She however, requested approval to co-opt additional relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies when necessary.
“We consider this flexibility necessary to ensure that the task team can respond effectively to emerging institutional needs, technical requirements and address gaps in institutional representation,” she said.
The task team lead pledged to promote teamwork, inclusivity and results-oriented engagement.
She said the team would work collectively to ensure that their recommendations and activities contributed meaningfully to national efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism and promote sustainable peace and security.
“We accept this assignment with humility and determination, and we pledge our commitment to delivering on the mandate entrusted to us,” she said.(NAN)
Edited by Deborah Coker
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