The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting professional, responsible, and people-centred operations, emphasising that protecting civilian lives and property is central to military success.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, stated this at the maiden Seminar on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response for Strategic-Level Officers held in Abuja.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said the rapidly evolving global security environment requires military institutions to continuously adapt in order to remain effective and relevant.
READ ALSO:Â NAF Reaffirms Welfare Commitment as NAFOWA Launches Abuja Market
He noted that modern military success is no longer measured solely by battlefield achievements but also by the ability to safeguard civilians during operations.
According to him, the seminar was both timely and necessary, given the complex and dynamic nature of contemporary security threats facing the nation.
He stressed that operational effectiveness must be balanced with the protection of civilian populations in conflict environments.
Air Marshal Aneke explained that recent incidents arising from military operations, whether verified or alleged, have highlighted the need for a stronger institutional understanding of civilian harm mitigation and response principles. Such issues, he said, “affect transparency, accountability, and public trust.”
The Air Chief noted that maintaining the confidence of the civilian population remains essential to achieving lasting security outcomes.
Consequently, the Nigerian Air Force has continued to institutionalize civilian harm mitigation mechanisms at both the tactical and operational levels.
He said that there is now a greater need to strengthen these principles at the strategic level, where critical decisions are taken and institutional policies are shaped.
This, he said, “informed his directive to the Civil-Military Relations Branch to organise the seminar for senior officers.”
According to the Chief of the Air Staff, the objective of the seminar is to equip military leaders with the tools required for balanced, objective, and timely decision-making without compromising operational effectiveness.
He emphasised that civilian harm mitigation should be seen as a strategic enabler rather than a limitation to military operations.
Air Marshal Aneke further observed that military operations are often conducted under intense pressure and in unpredictable circumstances.
While outcomes may not always align with expectations, he stressed the importance of learning from experience and continually improving operational processes.
He called for stronger procedures in planning, target verification, operational assessment, and post-action reviews, adding that any lapses must be addressed professionally, honestly, and with a commitment to accountability.
Robust Discussions
The Air Chief expressed confidence that the seminar would provide a platform for robust discussions, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices.
He urged participants to ensure that lessons learned are translated into practical measures that enhance operational conduct and civilian protection.
Earlier, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, described the seminar as a significant milestone in the Nigerian Air Force’s efforts to strengthen professionalism, accountability, and civilian protection in the conduct of air and joint operations.
Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet noted that the gathering brought together military, paramilitary, and civilian stakeholders to deepen collective understanding of civilian harm mitigation and response principles.
He emphasised that effective civilian protection requires collaboration and shared responsibility among all relevant actors.
He further stated that while Nigerian Air Force personnel continue to confront terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, and other security threats, operational success must be defined not only by tactical gains but also by precision, discipline, restraint, and respect for civilian lives.
Strengthen the Capacity
He commended the Chief of the Air Staff for supporting the initiative, noting that the seminar would strengthen the capacity of senior leaders to make informed decisions and further enhance the Air Force’s commitment to professionalism and operational excellence.
