The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting civilians while sustaining intense operational pressure on terrorist elements across multiple theatres of operation.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, made this known on Monday, 9 March 2026, during the inauguration of the Basic Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) Course 1/2026 at the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre (AWDC), Abuja.
He noted that ongoing joint military operations have significantly constrained the operational freedom of terrorist groups, forcing them to increasingly resort to desperate tactics, while the NAF and other security agencies continue to maintain persistent surveillance, rapid response capability, and strong interagency cooperation to keep hostile elements under sustained pressure.
Emphasising the importance of civilian protection, the CAS stated, “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.”
Represented by the Director of Air Operations, Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal A Bamidele, the CAS explained that the Basic CHM Course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and judgement required to effectively integrate civilian protection considerations into operational planning, intelligence processes, targeting decisions, and mission execution. He noted that the training will deepen participants’ understanding of International Humanitarian Law, Rules of Engagement, positive target identification, and other critical safeguards aimed at preventing or minimising civilian harm during military operations. Air Marshal Aneke therefore urged participants to approach the course with the seriousness it deserves, stressing that “the knowledge you acquire here must not remain theoretical; it must guide your decisions in planning rooms, command centres, and operational theatres.”
In his remarks, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gapkwet, underscored the strategic importance of civilian protection in contemporary military operations, noting that “in today’s complex operating environment, military success is no longer defined solely by tactical or kinetic outcomes, but also by how operations are perceived, how civilian harm is prevented or addressed, and how lessons learned are institutionalised within the Service.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant, AWDC, Air Vice Marshal GI Jibia, highlighted the Centre’s expanded mandate to conduct Air-Ground Integration and Civilian Harm Mitigation training for the Armed Forces of Nigeria. According to him, “this mandate positions the AWDC not only as the Nigerian Air Force’s operational think-tank but also as a key facilitator of seamless integration of air, land, and maritime forces in joint operations in line with international best practices.”
The course has 26 participants comprising air component commanders, operational pilots, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operators, legal advisers, and Civil-Military Relations officers.