Air Force Assures Civilians Of Protection In Onslaught Against Terrorists

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of civilians amid sustained airstrikes on terrorist elements across Nigeria.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, stated this on Monday during the inauguration of the Basic Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) Course 1/2026 at the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre (AWDC), Abuja.

In a statement issued by NAF spokesperson, Air Cdre Ehimen Ejodame, the Air Force chief said the ongoing joint military operations have seriously degraded the operational freedom of terrorist groups, forcing them to increasingly resort to desperate tactics.

Represented by the director of Air Operations, Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal A. Bamidele, the CAS said, “The NAF, in close coordination with other security agencies, maintains persistent surveillance, rapid response capability and strong interagency collaboration to ensure that hostile elements remain under sustained pressure.”

Air Marshal said safeguarding civilian lives during NAF operations is not a constraint on military effectiveness but rather a force multiplier that enhances operational legitimacy and success.

According to him, Civilian Harm Mitigation remains a critical component of modern air operations, reinforcing the NAF’s commitment to protecting civilian lives and infrastructure while delivering decisive air power.

He continued, “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.”

Aneke explained that the course was designed to equip the 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 added that the training will deepen participants’ understanding of International Humanitarian Law, Rules of Engagement, positive target identification, and other critical measures to prevent or minimise civilian harm during operations.

Air Marshal Aneke, therefore, urged the participants to approach the course with utmost seriousness, stressing that the knowledge gained must translate directly into operational decision-making.

In his remarks, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gapkwet, said in today’s complex operating environment, military success is not 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.

In his welcome address, the commandant of the AWDC, Air Vice Marshal GI Jibia, said the centre’s expanded mandate is to conduct Air-Ground Integration and Civilian Harm Mitigation training for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to enhance joint operational effectiveness 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.

It is aimed at strengthening professional judgement and operational decision-making in environments where civilians and combatants are often intermingled.