By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilian lives while sustaining intense operational pressure on terrorist groups across the country.
The Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said ongoing joint military operations have significantly degraded the operational freedom of terrorist elements, forcing them to resort to increasingly desperate tactics.
Aneke made the remarks on Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Basic Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) Course 1/2026 at the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre (AWDC).
Represented by the Director of Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal A. Bamidele, the air chief said the NAF continues to maintain persistent surveillance, rapid response capability and strong inter-agency coordination to keep terrorist groups under sustained pressure.
According to him, protecting civilians during air operations is not a limitation to military effectiveness but rather a factor that strengthens operational legitimacy and enhances mission success.
“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.
The CAS explained that the Basic CHM Course was designed to equip personnel with the knowledge and skills required to integrate civilian protection considerations into operational planning, intelligence processes, targeting decisions and mission execution.
He noted that the training would deepen participants’ understanding of international humanitarian law, rules of engagement and positive target identification, which are essential in preventing or minimising civilian harm during operations.
“The knowledge you acquire here must not remain theoretical; it must guide your decisions in planning rooms, command centres and operational theatres,” Aneke said.
In his remarks, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations at NAF Headquarters, Edward Gapkwet, said modern military success is no longer defined solely by tactical outcomes but also by how effectively civilian harm is prevented and how operations are perceived by the public.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant of the AWDC, G. I. Jibia, said the centre has expanded its mandate to include 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 drawn from air component commanders, operational pilots, unmanned aerial vehicle operators, legal advisers and civil-military relations officers.
