The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians while intensifying operational pressure on terrorist groups across the country’s conflict zones.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, made this known 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 ongoing joint military operations have significantly limited the operational freedom of terrorist elements, forcing them to resort to desperate tactics. He noted that the NAF, working with other security agencies, has continued to maintain persistent surveillance, rapid response capabilities and strong interagency cooperation to keep hostile groups under sustained pressure.
He stressed that protecting civilian lives remains central to military operations.
“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.
Represented by the Director of Air Operations at Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal A. Bamidele, the CAS explained that the course was designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to integrate civilian protection into operational planning, intelligence processes, targeting decisions and mission execution.
According to him, the training will deepen participants’ understanding of International Humanitarian Law, Rules of Engagement, and positive target identification, among other safeguards aimed at preventing or minimising civilian harm during military operations.
He urged participants to approach the course with seriousness, noting that the knowledge gained must translate into practical decision-making in planning rooms, command centres and operational theatres.
Also speaking, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations at Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gapkwet, emphasised the strategic importance of civilian protection in modern warfare.
“In today’s complex operating environment, military success is no longer defined solely by tactical outcomes, but also by how operations are perceived, how civilian harm is prevented or addressed, and how lessons learned are institutionalised within the Service,” he said.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, Air Vice Marshal G.I. Jibia, said the centre now has an expanded mandate to conduct Air-Ground Integration and Civilian Harm Mitigation training for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He noted that the mandate positions the AWDC as the Nigerian Air Force’s operational think-tank and a key facilitator of seamless integration of air, land and maritime forces in joint operations in line with international best practices.
The Basic CHM Course 1/2026 has 26 participants, including air component commanders, operational pilots, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operators, legal advisers and Civil-Military Relations officers.
