Nigerian Air Force Launches Civilian Harm Mitigation Course To Strengthen Responsible Air Operations

 

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inaugurated the Civilian Harm Mitigation Basic Course 1/2026 as part of efforts to enhance professionalism and ensure responsible application of airpower in civilian-populated environments.

AVM AO Bamidele, representing the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke at the inauguration ceremony,  emphasised that civilian harm mitigation remains a critical component of modern air operations and a key factor in maintaining operational legitimacy.

According to him, beyond its moral and legal implications, civilian harm mitigation serves as a strategic enabler that strengthens public confidence, enhances mission credibility and supports the attainment of long-term operational objectives.

He noted that the increasing complexity of modern warfare, particularly in environments where civilians live close to conflict zones, demands greater precision, discipline and sound judgement from airmen involved in planning and executing air operations.

“Civilian harm mitigation is not optional. It is fundamental to operational success and national credibility. It directly affects mission legitimacy, public trust, freedom of action and ultimately strategic success,” he said.

Air Marshal Aneke explained that the course represents a significant milestone in the professional evolution of the Nigerian Air Force, reflecting the service’s commitment to refining how airpower is applied in complex operational environments.

He stated that the initiative aligns with the Chief of the Air Staff’s vision of building a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower in synergy with ground forces in pursuit of Nigeria’s national security objectives.

The Air Chief further noted that modern air operations are increasingly conducted within civilian environments characterised by asymmetric threats, fluid intelligence and the close proximity of adversaries to non-combatants.

He stressed that in such situations, the true measure of a professional air force lies not only in its ability to neutralise threats but also in its deliberate efforts to safeguard civilian lives while carrying out operations.

According to him, the course marks a deliberate shift from ad-hoc learning to a structured institutional framework that integrates civilian harm mitigation principles into doctrine, training, operational planning, execution and post-operation assessments within the Nigerian Air Force.

He commended the commandant and staff of the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, as well as international partners involved in the design and delivery of the programme, for their contributions toward strengthening doctrinal development and operational capability.

Addressing participants, he urged them to actively engage in the training, internalise the principles taught and apply them responsibly in future operations.

“Precision in the employment of airpower must always be matched with accountability and respect for civilian lives,” he added.

He reaffirmed that the Nigerian Air Force remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty while upholding the dignity and safety of the civilian population.

The course was formally declared open on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, marking the commencement of a new phase in the Nigerian Air Force’s efforts to integrate civilian harm mitigation into its operational culture.

Earlier the Commandant of the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, Air Vice Marshal Garba Ibrahim Jibia in his welcome remarks emphasized the importance of strengthening professional learning and doctrinal development in the application of air power as the centre inaugurated the Basic Civilian Harm Mitigation Course. He described the centre as the intellectual hub of air power employment in the Nigerian Air Force, responsible for translating operational experiences into doctrine and training to enhance operational efficiency and improve outcomes on the battlefield.

Air Vice Marshal Jibia noted that while the protection of civilians has always been an integral responsibility for airmen, the complexity of modern operational environments now requires deliberate institutionalisation of civilian harm mitigation as a core operational competency within the Armed Forces of Nigeria. 

According to him, the course is designed to deepen understanding, sharpen operational decision-making and encourage honest reflection on the challenges faced in conflict zones where civilians and combatants are often intermingled. He added that the training adopts practical scenario-based learning tailored to Nigeria’s operational realities rather than relying solely on theoretical frameworks.

The Commandant further stated that the programme would also serve as a platform for gathering operational lessons through discussions with field commanders and personnel involved in combat missions, which would aid the development and review of doctrines, tactics, techniques and procedures. 

He commended the Chief of the Air Staff for supporting the initiative and urged participants drawn from agencies including the Nigerian Army Aviation Wing, Nigerian Police Aviation Wing and the Office of the National Security Adviser to actively share their experiences, noting that strengthened collaboration and joint training are critical to improving operational effectiveness while minimising harm to civilians.

Delivering a lecture at the inauguration of the Basic Civilian Harm Mitigation Course, the Chief of Civil–Military Relations of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, stressed that operational success must go beyond tactical gains to include the protection of civilians. 

He warned that battlefield victories could easily become strategic setbacks if the civilian element is not carefully considered during military operations. According to him, the initiative reflects the evolving character of Nigerian Air Force operations and reinforces the military’s enduring responsibility to the Nigerian people.

Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet explained that civilian harm mitigation lies at the heart of effective civil–military relations, which are built on trust, professionalism, transparency and respect for civilian lives. He noted that the introduction of the Nigerian Air Force Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan in May 2025 marked a major step toward a more deliberate and people-centred application of air power. 

In today’s complex security environment, he said, military success is measured not only by kinetic outcomes but also by how operations are perceived, how harm is prevented or addressed, and how lessons are learned and institutionalised.

He further explained that the course is designed to translate policy into practical capability by integrating civilian harm considerations into the daily professional thinking of aircrew, planners, intelligence officers and operational commanders. The Chief of Civil–Military Relations added that the Nigerian Air Force approach is built on three key pillars—prevention through better operational decision-making, institutional learning and accountability, and strengthening public trust and legitimacy. 

He noted that the programme represents part of a broader cultural shift aimed at embedding civilian harm mitigation into the institutional framework of the Air Force while enhancing professionalism and operational effectiveness.

SpyeTV News reports that the training programme, organised by the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, will expose participants to practical and scenario-based learning designed to strengthen operational decision-making and command judgement.