The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to protecting civilians during military operations, describing civilian safety as a critical element of operational success.
Speaking on Tuesday at a seminar on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response in Abuja, Aneke said modern military operations require a balance between achieving security objectives and safeguarding civilian lives.
The seminar, organised by the Nigerian Air Force’s Civil-Military Relations Branch, brought together senior officers and security stakeholders to discuss strategies for reducing civilian harm in complex operational environments.
According to the Air Chief, the changing nature of contemporary warfare demands improved intelligence gathering, target verification, operational planning and post-mission assessments to minimise unintended civilian casualties.
“The environment we operate in is dynamic and complex. We must adapt continuously if we are to remain effective,” Aneke said.
He noted that civilian harm mitigation should not be viewed as a constraint on military operations but as a strategic tool that enhances precision, accountability and decision-making.
Aneke stressed that incidents involving civilian casualties, whether confirmed or alleged, can have far-reaching consequences for public trust and the credibility of military institutions.
He explained that the seminar was designed to strengthen senior officers’ understanding of civilian harm mitigation principles and equip them with practical approaches for making informed decisions in rapidly evolving operational situations.
The Air Chief also encouraged personnel to embrace continuous learning and maintain high standards of professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
Earlier, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, described the seminar as a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening professionalism and civilian protection within the Nigerian Air Force.
Gabkwet said the programme was the first strategic-level forum of its kind in the service and reflected the Air Force’s commitment to aligning its operations with global best practices.
He observed that modern security operations are increasingly conducted in populated areas, making it essential for military personnel to adopt deliberate measures to reduce risks to civilians.
“Effective civilian harm mitigation requires collaboration among military, paramilitary and civilian stakeholders. It cannot be achieved in isolation,” he said.
Gabkwet added that the forum provides an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas, learn from experiences and explore practical solutions for conducting operations more effectively while protecting civilian populations.
The seminar attracted senior military officers, security experts and other stakeholders who examined approaches to enhancing operational effectiveness while minimizing harm to non-combatants.
CIVILIAN HARM MITIGATION ENHANCES PRECISION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND MISSION SUCCESS — CAS
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, accountability and the protection of civilians with the successful conduct of its maiden Seminar on Civilian Harm. pic.twitter.com/4CpCrRdie9
— Nigerian Air Force (@NigAirForce) June 2, 2026
