The Nigerian Air Force Regiment Training Centre Annex (RTCA), Bauchi, in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has conducted a comprehensive training programme on the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) for trainees of Special Forces Course 13/2026.
The training aimed at deepening the trainees’ understanding of legal and humanitarian principles guiding military operations, especially within the complexities of counter-insurgency and asymmetric warfare environments.
The initiative, according to the organisers, aligns with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to build a highly professional, disciplined and mission-oriented force capable of achieving operational success while adhering to internationally accepted standards of conduct.
Speaking during the programme, the Commandant of RTCA Bauchi, Lawrence Akpan, said the training was in line with the Centre’s mandate of producing highly professional and mission-ready special forces personnel capable of operating effectively within established legal and ethical frameworks.
He noted that modern military operations require not only tactical competence and operational effectiveness, but also strict adherence to international laws governing armed conflict and the protection of human dignity during hostilities.
Akpan stressed that success in counter-insurgency operations should not be measured by firepower alone, but by discipline, precision and the ability to protect civilians while neutralising threats.
During the session, the ICRC representative, Bello Badamasi, lectured the trainees on key aspects of LOAC and IHL, including the protection of civilians, treatment of wounded personnel and detainees, distinction between combatants and non-combatants, as well as the principles of humanity, necessity and proportionality during operations.
The interactive engagement also highlighted the importance of professionalism, discipline and lawful conduct during military engagements, while underscoring the role of strategic partnerships and continuous capacity development in enhancing operational effectiveness in ongoing counter-insurgency operations across the country.
