ABUJA — The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to protecting civilian lives during military operations, declaring that civilian harm mitigation and response measures are essential to operational success rather than obstacles to military effectiveness.
Speaking at a seminar on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response for Strategic Level Officers, the Air Chief acknowledged the growing complexities of modern warfare and the increasing scrutiny surrounding military operations, stressing that the protection of civilians must remain central to strategic decision-making.
“Civilian harm mitigation and response is not a constraint on operations; rather, it is a strategic enabler. It enhances precision, improves decision-making, and ultimately contributes to mission success,” Aneke said.
His remarks come amid continued public discourse over allegations and concerns relating to civilian casualties arising from counterterrorism and internal security operations across parts of Nigeria. While not referencing any specific incident, the CAS noted that both verified and alleged cases have highlighted the need for stronger institutional understanding and implementation of civilian harm mitigation principles.
The Air Chief emphasized that military success can no longer be measured solely by battlefield achievements, arguing that operational effectiveness must also be assessed by the extent to which civilian lives and property are safeguarded.
Aneke disclosed that the Air Force has already taken deliberate steps to institutionalize civilian harm mitigation and response frameworks at tactical and operational levels, adding that strategic-level officers must also be equipped to incorporate such considerations into policy and command decisions.
The seminar, organized by the Civil-Military Relations Branch of the Nigerian Air Force, is aimed at enhancing leadership capacity for balanced and timely decision-making while aligning military operations with international best practices.
The CAS further urged officers to embrace continuous learning and self-assessment, noting that military operations are often conducted under difficult and unpredictable circumstances where outcomes may not always align with expectations.
“What is important is our willingness to reflect, to learn, and to continuously improve,” he said, while calling for professionalism, honesty, and accountability whenever operational lapses occur.
One of the participants, Olayemi Esan, MD SpyeTV says the seminar signals an ongoing effort by the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen accountability mechanisms and improve operational procedures, particularly in areas such as target verification, operational assessment, transparency, and post-strike reviews.
Participants view the seminar as part of broader efforts by the Nigerian Air Force to reinforce public confidence, strengthen civil-military relations, and ensure that security operations are conducted in a manner that upholds both national security objectives and civilian protection standards.
The event featured presentations from international and local experts, including Dr. Larry Lewis of the Center for Naval Analyses, United States, as well as representatives of the National Human Rights Commission (Dr Tony Ojukwu, Samuel Aruwsn, Mr Kabir AdamuDr Livinus Jatti and other partner organizations.
