SWA Editorial
Whether false accusations or actual incidences, the Nigerian Air Force operations have in the past been trailed by accusations of wrongly bombarding innocent civilians.
While trailing terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, some of those operations have been claimed to have sent innocent Nigerians to their early graves.
In most cases, the NAF had defended itself by stating that the operations were precisionally undertaken against terrorists and bandits.
Countering the stories put out to the public by the enemies of the State and their sympathisers. NAF had also severally and categorically claimed that terrorists and bandits are the actual casualties of such operations and not innocent civilians in the communities.
Determined to end the actual cases of harm befalling civilians during its operations, the NAF on Tuesday 2nd of June, 2026 organised a Maiden Seminar in Abuja On Civilian Harm Mitigation And Response For Strategical Level Officers. It was monitored by Security Watch Africa (SWA).
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said that the seminar will strengthen professionalism and accountability in efforts to factor the civilian environment into ongoing air operations.
He said “I must state that the objective of this Seminar is apt, particularly within the context of contemporary air operations and the evolving security environment in our nation.
“Permit me to reiterate here that the Nigerian Air Force remains fully committed to the conduct of professional, responsible, and people-centric air operations in the discharge of its constitutional mandate.
“As we continue to confront complex and asymmetric security threats across the various theatres of operation, it has also become increasingly evident that operational success can no longer be measured solely by tactical achievements but by the extent to which civilian lives and properties are protected.”
On the past allegations, the CAS added “Allegations arising from some past air operations involving civilian casualties have brought to fore the need for stronger institutional understanding and application of the principles of Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response, mostly in the areas of transparency, accountability and continuous operational evaluation.
“These incidences, whether verified or alleged, have far-reaching ramifications on mission legitimacy, public confidence and relationship with our stakeholders both domestic and foreign. More importantly, they affect the reputation and integrity of the Nigerian Air Force as a disciplined and professional force.
“As an institution, we recognise that maintaining trust and confidence of our citizens is essential to achieving lasting operational success. Accordingly, the Nigerian Air Force has continued to take deliberate steps toward institutionalising Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response mechanisms, especially at the tactical and operational level.
“The NAF considers it equally important that the strategic military level where key decisions, narratives and institutional responses are shaped and disseminated demonstrates sufficient knowledge of the subject matter.”
He also hoped that the seminar will remind senior officers of the tools necessary for balanced, objective and timely decisions that are aligned with the best global practices in civilian protection during armed conflict.
The Air Chief further emphasised that Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response is not a constraint on NAF operational effectiveness; but a framework that enhances precision, improves decision-making and ultimately preserves strategic legitimacy.
“It is about sharpening our thinking before action, improving our awareness during operations and strengthening our accountability measures thereafter. Most importantly, it is about people and recognizing that most operations occur in environments where they live, work and hope for safety.
“Therefore, as professionals, we must continue to strengthen how we plan, verify targets, assess outcomes and learn from every operation, especially when things do not go as intended. Where harm does occur, our response must be measured to reflect professionalism, honesty and responsibility,” the CAS stated.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Civil Military Relations (CCMR), Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, said that the seminar provides a space for reflection, learning, and honest conversation about how air operations are conducted in environments where civilians are often unavoidably present.
He said “This pioneering engagement also represents a significant milestone in our institutional journey towards strengthening professionalism, accountability and the protection of civilians in the conduct of air and joint military operations.
“It also reflects the deliberate commitment of the Nigerian Air Force to continuously evolve in line with contemporary operational realities and global best practices. In particular, the participation of military, paramilitary and civilian stakeholders is important because Civilian Harm Mitigation cannot be achieved through isolated institutional efforts alone.”
The CCMR called for careful balance between mission accomplishment and humanitarian considerations as a hallmark of modern military operations.
He said “In asymmetric operational environments where adversaries deliberately exploit civilian spaces and vulnerabilities, military personnel are often required to make difficult decisions under intense pressure and rapidly changing conditions. Indeed, the NAF remains fully conscious of the evolving nature of contemporary security operations and the increasing complexities associated with operating within civilian-populated environments.
“Across various theatres of operation, our personnel have continued to be confronted with threats posed by terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality that threaten national peace, security, and stability. In addressing these threats, the Nigerian Air Force recognizes that operational success is not defined solely by tactical achievements, but rather by the ability to conduct operations with precision, discipline, restraint and utmost regard for the safety, dignity and wellbeing of any civilian population within the areas of operations.”
To this end, he said that the Nigerian Air Force has continued to emplace significant emphasis on the learning and institutionalization of Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response, especially at the tactical and operational level, as an essential component of operational planning and execution.
Through the establishment of the CHM Department at the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre and the subsequent commencement of courses, he said that the Nigerian Air Force has demonstrated its resolve and commitment to permanently domicile the learning of CHM.
“It is in view of the foregoing that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, DFS, directed the Civil-Military Relations Branch, to organise a forum that would bring in CHMR subject matter experts and other professionals to assist us build capacity in the understanding of CHMR,” he stated.
With these maiden move, it is hoped that the precisions in NAF operations will remain very accurate eliminating only the enemies of the nation who have taken to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal elements.
Everything, therefore should be done to protect innocent Nigerians wherever they live.
