The Federal Government has reaffirmed that repentant terrorists implicated in serious criminal offences will not be shielded from justice despite participating in the country's Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme.

The assurance was given on Monday as the government unveiled a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide the implementation of the DDR programme for former terrorists and violent extremists.

Speaking at the National Validation Workshop on the SOPs for DDR in Abuja, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said the framework was designed to enhance transparency, accountability and coordination in the management and reintegration of repentant terrorists.

According to Laka, the newly developed procedures provide a clear roadmap for screening, rehabilitation and reintegration processes, while ensuring that individuals responsible for grave crimes are held accountable under the law.

He noted that the SOPs were developed to strengthen collaboration among security agencies, government institutions and other stakeholders involved in counter-terrorism efforts and post-conflict rehabilitation programmes.

The NCTC coordinator stressed that participation in the DDR programme does not amount to immunity from prosecution, particularly for individuals accused of serious offences such as murder, rape and other grave violations.

The DDR programme forms part of Nigeria's broader counter-terrorism strategy aimed at encouraging defections from terrorist groups, reducing violence and facilitating the safe reintegration of eligible former combatants into society.

The Federal Government said the new framework would help standardise operations, improve public confidence and ensure that the programme is implemented in line with national and international best practices.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts by authorities to tackle insurgency and violent extremism while balancing rehabilitation initiatives with the demands of justice and accountability.