Counterinsurgency: FG to Open Another DDR Camp – Gen Laka
A new Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) camp is set to begin operations in the Northwest as part of the federal government’s broader counterterrorism strategy, Maj. Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, has announced.
Speaking during the study tour of a delegation from the Alliance Sahel States to the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja, Gen. Laka emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to tackling violent extremism through both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
He noted that the new DDR facility would complement existing deradicalization efforts, including the Operation SAFE CORRIDOR program in Gombe State, which has successfully rehabilitated nearly 3,000 former insurgents.
“The second Operation SAFE CORRIDOR DDR camp will soon be operational in the northwest region of Nigeria,” Gen. Laka stated, highlighting its role in rehabilitating low-risk former combatants.
Nigeria has intensified its counterterrorism measures through legal and policy frameworks, including the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022.
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These efforts have been reinforced by the establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Centre and the Victim Trust Fund, as well as the Joint Investigation Centre in Maiduguri, which screens and categorizes arrested Boko Haram suspects for reintegration or prosecution.
The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader regional collaboration with Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic under the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Multi-National Joint Task Force, which has significantly weakened Boko Haram’s operational capacity.
Gen. Laka reiterated the importance of collective efforts, stating that counterterrorism success requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
He also commended the Borno State Government’s innovative “Borno Model” for handling mass surrenders, noting that a Technical Working Group has been inaugurated to harmonize various reintegration models into a unified national strategy.
Honourable Aliyu Gebi, leader of the delegation, described the study tour as both timely and relevant, emphasizing its potential to deepen their knowledge, foster collaboration, and strengthen teamwork in regional counterterrorism efforts.
He highlighted the importance of cooperation in combating terrorism, noting that it enables countries to share critical information, resources, and expertise.
“Terrorism presents multifaceted and complex challenges that demand innovative solutions and unwavering commitment. By uniting in a spirit of mutual understanding and collaboration, we reinforce our determination and enhance our collective ability to counter terrorism effectively,” he said.
