The Nigerian Air Force says it is sustaining operational pressure on terrorist groups while strengthening measures to protect civilians during military operations.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, gave the assurance Monday at the inauguration of the Basic Civilian Harm Mitigation Course at the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre in Abuja.
Aneke said ongoing joint military operations have limited the operational freedom of terrorist groups, forcing them to adopt desperate tactics.
“The NAF, in close coordination with other security agencies, maintains persistent surveillance, rapid response capability and strong interagency collaboration to ensure hostile elements remain under sustained pressure,” he said.
Represented by the Director of Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal A. Bamidele, the air chief said protecting civilians during air operations strengthens military effectiveness and public trust.
“Safeguarding civilian lives is not a limitation to military effectiveness; it is a force multiplier that strengthens operational legitimacy and reinforces the Nigerian Air Force’s reputation as a professional force,” Aneke said.
He said the training programme will equip officers with the skills needed to integrate civilian protection into operational planning, intelligence gathering and targeting decisions.
According to him, participants will also deepen their understanding of international humanitarian law and rules of engagement to minimise civilian harm during missions.
The course has 26 participants, including operational pilots, UAV operators, legal advisers, and civil-military relations officers.
NAF officials say the programme is part of broader efforts to improve operational decision-making in complex environments where civilians and combatants often operate in proximity.
