By ABAH, SUNDAY, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) through the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and a consortium of United Nations agencies, has launched a fresh initiative titled, EU Support for Disengagement, Review, Reintegration and Reconciliation of Persons Formerly Associated with the Non-State Armed Groups (SD3R of NSAGs) in North East Nigeria.
The joint initiative is to foster social cohesion, reduce stigmatisation, promote tolerance, and create space for acceptance as well as belonging within targeted communities in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States, according to a statement issued Thursday by the head, Strategic Communication, NCTC, ONSA,
Abu Michael.
While launching the Initiative, the National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, noted that the SD3R Project was conceived to promote peace and stability in the Northeastern part of Nigeria through community-driven reintegration and reconciliation process for persons formally associated with NSAGs.
He said, “The project also strives to support authorities in effectively investigating and prosecuting individuals accused of terrorism offences in the north east, ensuring meaningful accountability and redress for serious crimes.”
The NSA added that ONSA through the NCTC would continue to coordinate the project in line with the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PF-NAP for PCVE), 2017, as well as other relevant policy documents.
In her remarks, the EU Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador, Samuela Isopi, said healing and reconciliation can be achieved in the sub-region if all work together, leveraging on collective expertise.
“This is why we are happy to continue supporting this process in the hope that it will help rebuild broken bridges within families and communities,” she added.
She noted that the Project was part of the broader EU support to the Lake Chad region which amounts to 2.5 Billion Euros (€2.5 Billion) since 2014, stressing that its implementation would leverage on the expertise and experience of the four UN agencies involved: International Organisation for Migration (IOM) which is the lead agency, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which have been working in the northeast of Nigeria for several years.
Dignitaries at the ceremony include: Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, and his Adamawa State Counterpart, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri who was represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehab, Reintegration and Humanitarian Services, while the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni was represented by the Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Goje Mohammed.
Others include Ambassadors of the EU countries in Nigeria, as well as the UN Nigeria Resident Coordinator, Mr Mohamed M. Malick Fall; representatives of the UN agencies consortium, implementing the project.
There were also representatives of Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).