Civilian Protection Now Core Pillar in NAF Operations – Air Chief

Civilian Protection Now Core Pillar in NAF Operations – Air Chief

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has elevated the protection of civilians to a central pillar in its ongoing military operations across the country’s conflict zones, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has reaffirmed.

In a strategic move to reinforce this commitment, the CAS recently directed the Chief of Civil-Military Relations (CCMR), Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, to engage with frontline personnel of the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Sector 2, in the North West region. The high-level visit underscores the NAF’s evolving operational doctrine that prioritizes both mission readiness and the safety of civilian populations in its counterinsurgency and counter-banditry campaigns.

Addressing troops during the visit, AVM Daramola praised their operational successes under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, attributing recent tactical gains to the leadership and strategic foresight of the Air Chief. He reminded personnel that every mission must balance combat effectiveness with the highest standards of civilian protection.

“Every action we take must demonstrate not only tactical efficiency but also strategic empathy,” AVM Daramola stated. “The enduring trust of the people remains the Nigerian Air Force’s most potent force multiplier.”

He emphasized that civilian cooperation remains crucial to the success of ongoing security operations, calling on local communities to continue providing timely and credible intelligence that would aid in the neutralization of criminal elements terrorizing the region.

“This is the people’s Air Force; we are here to protect them,” he said. “But to be truly effective, we need their trust and collaboration.”

Welcoming the visit, the Air Component Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Sector 2, Air Commodore Garba Ibrahim Jibia, described the engagement as a significant morale booster for the troops, reaffirming the leadership’s unwavering support for personnel on the frontline.

The visit, according to military sources, reflects the CAS’s standing directive that all NAF operations must strictly adhere to international humanitarian law, best practices, and the rules of engagement designed to minimize civilian casualties and property damage.

As Nigeria grapples with multifaceted security threats, the Nigerian Air Force continues to adopt a multidimensional approach that blends kinetic military strikes with non-kinetic initiatives, including civil-military relations, community engagement, and humanitarian support.

The Air Chief’s emphasis on civilian protection comes at a time when global scrutiny on the conduct of military operations has heightened, with growing calls for greater accountability and professionalism in conflict theatres.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, noted that the NAF remains committed to professional excellence, precision targeting, and synergy with both ground forces and civilian communities as it intensifies efforts to secure the nation.

By PRNigeria