NAF reaffirms commitment to civilian protection in anti-terror operations

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians while maintaining sustained pressure on terrorist groups across various theatres of operation in the country.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, made this known on Monday during the inauguration of the Basic Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) Course 1/2026 at the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre (AWDC) in Abuja.

According to the Air Chief, ongoing joint military operations have significantly degraded the operational freedom of terrorist groups, forcing them to resort to increasingly desperate tactics.

“The NAF, in close coordination with other security agencies, maintains persistent surveillance, rapid response capability, and strong interagency collaboration to ensure that hostile elements remain under sustained pressure,” he said.

Aneke, who was represented at the event by the Director of Air Operations at NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal A. Bamidele, stressed that protecting civilian lives during military operations strengthens operational effectiveness rather than weakening it.

“Safeguarding civilian lives is not a limitation to military effectiveness; rather, it is a force multiplier that strengthens operational legitimacy, builds public trust, and reinforces the Nigerian Air Force’s reputation as a professional and responsible force,” he stated.

He explained that the Basic Civilian Harm Mitigation course was designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to integrate civilian protection into operational planning, intelligence analysis, targeting decisions, and mission execution.

The training will also enhance participants’ understanding of International Humanitarian Law, Rules of Engagement, and positive target identification to minimise civilian harm during operations.

Air Marshal Aneke urged participants to take the training seriously, noting that the knowledge gained must translate into real operational decisions.

“The knowledge you acquire here must not remain theoretical; it must guide your decisions in planning rooms, command centres, and operational theatres,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations at NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gapkwet, said modern military success is not only measured by battlefield victories but also by how well civilian harm is prevented and managed.

In his welcome address, the Commandant of the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, Air Vice Marshal G. I. Jibia, highlighted the centre’s expanded mandate to conduct Air-Ground Integration and Civilian Harm Mitigation training for the Armed Forces of Nigeria in line with international best practices.

The course has 26 participants, including air component commanders, operational pilots, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operators, legal advisers and Civil-Military Relations officers.

The programme is aimed at strengthening professional judgement and operational decision-making in complex environments where civilians and combatants often operate in close proximity.