The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has strengthened its civil–military cooperation architecture through a new round of strategic engagements with key national institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The initiative aligns with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to entrench intelligence-led, accountable and technology-enabled operations across all theatres.
Leading the delegation, the Chief of Civil–Military Relations (CCMR), Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, conducted high-level visits aimed at reinforcing accountability, improving intelligence-driven decision-making, and deepening rights-based approaches to NAF operations.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said the engagements reflect its commitment to transparency and operational excellence
During the visit to the NHRC, the Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu, applauded the Air Force for taking, in his words, “bold, deliberate and necessary steps” to institutionalise civilian protection within air operations.
At NAPTIP and the DPP, AVM Gabkwet met with the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, and the Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar Babadoko. Discussions focused on improving protection systems for vulnerable groups, enhancing prosecution processes, strengthening the handling of cases involving military personnel, and establishing joint training programmes to advance legal awareness and professional conduct within the Service.
AVM Gabkwet reaffirmed the CAS’s commitment to precision, restraint and accountability in all air operations. “Our operations must protect the people we serve. Precision must match restraint. Force must be guided by intelligence, legality and accountability,” he said.
The delegation included senior officers overseeing human rights, legal affairs, gender issues and inter-agency coordination—an indication of NAF’s institutional commitment to long-term partnerships.
Through these renewed collaborations, the Nigerian Air Force continues to advance its transformation agenda, integrating data-driven processes, multi-agency cooperation and rights-based frameworks to enhance mission success while prioritising the safety and dignity of civilians.
