NAF Strengthens Civilian Protection in Counter-Terrorism Operations
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reinforced its civilian protection framework as it intensifies ongoing air operations against terrorist groups across the country.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, disclosed this 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.
Aneke said the initiative underscores the NAF’s commitment to safeguarding civilian lives while sustaining operational pressure on terrorist elements operating in various theatres of operation.
Represented by the Director of Air Operations at NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal A. Bamidele, the air chief noted that ongoing joint military operations had significantly degraded the operational capabilities of terrorist groups, forcing them to resort to increasingly desperate tactics.
He explained that the Nigerian Air Force, working in close coordination with other security agencies, has continued to maintain persistent surveillance and rapid response capabilities to ensure hostile elements remain under sustained pressure.
The CAS stressed that protecting civilians during air operations should not be seen as a limitation to military effectiveness, but rather as a strategic advantage that strengthens operational legitimacy and enhances mission success.
“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,” Aneke said.
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According to him, the Civilian Harm Mitigation course was designed to equip officers with the knowledge and skills required to integrate civilian protection considerations into operational planning, intelligence analysis, targeting processes and mission execution.
He added that the training would also deepen participants’ understanding of International Humanitarian Law, rules of engagement, and positive target identification, all of which are critical in preventing or minimising civilian harm during military operations.
Aneke urged the participants to take the course seriously, noting that the knowledge acquired must translate into practical decision-making during operational planning and combat missions.
“The knowledge you acquire here must not remain theoretical; it must guide your decisions in planning rooms, command centres and operational theatres,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations at NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, noted that success in modern military operations is no longer measured solely by tactical victories.
He explained that the way military operations are conducted, particularly in preventing civilian casualties and managing their consequences, has become an important factor in evaluating operational success.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant of the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, Air Vice Marshal G.I. Jibia, said the centre had expanded its mandate to include Air-Ground Integration and Civilian Harm Mitigation training for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at improving joint operational effectiveness and aligning military practices with international best standards.
The course has 26 participants drawn from various operational units of the Nigerian Air Force, including air component commanders, operational pilots, unmanned aerial vehicle operators, legal advisers and civil-military relations officers.
The training is expected to strengthen professional judgement and operational decision-making, particularly in complex environments where civilians and combatants are often intermingled.
