By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians while sustaining intensified operational pressure on terrorist groups across the country’s various theatres of operation.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, made the assertion during the inauguration of the Basic Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) Course 1/2026 at the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre (AWDC) in Abuja.
Speaking through the Director of Air Operations at Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal A. Bamidele, the CAS said ongoing joint military operations had significantly degraded the operational capabilities of terrorist groups, forcing them to adopt increasingly desperate tactics.
He noted that the Air Force, working closely with other security agencies, continues to maintain persistent surveillance, rapid response capability and strong interagency collaboration to ensure that hostile elements remain under sustained pressure.
Aneke emphasised that safeguarding civilian lives during air operations should not be seen as a constraint on military effectiveness, but rather as a force multiplier that strengthens operational legitimacy and 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,” he said.
According to him, the Basic CHM Course was designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to integrate civilian protection considerations into operational planning, intelligence processes, targeting decisions and mission execution.
He added that the training would deepen participants’ understanding of key operational principles, including International Humanitarian Law, rules of engagement and positive target identification, all aimed at preventing or minimising civilian harm during military operations.
The CAS urged participants to approach the course with seriousness, stressing that the knowledge acquired must directly inform operational decision-making in the field.
“The knowledge you acquire here must not remain theoretical; it must guide your decisions in planning rooms, command centres and operational theatres,” he stated.
In his remarks, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations at NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gapkwet, observed that success in modern military operations is no longer measured solely by tactical achievements but also by how well civilian harm is prevented and addressed.
Earlier, the Commandant of the AWDC, Air Vice Marshal G. I. Jibia, said the centre’s mandate had expanded to include Air-Ground Integration and Civilian Harm Mitigation training for the Armed Forces of Nigeria in line with global best practices.
Jibia noted that the course, which has 26 participants, includes air component commanders, operational pilots, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operators, legal advisers and civil-military relations officers.
He explained that the training is aimed at strengthening professional judgement and operational decision-making in complex environments where civilians and combatants are often intermingled.
