The Nigerian Air Force has restated its commitment to protecting civilians while keeping up military pressure on terrorist groups operating in different parts of the country.
This position was made known by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, during the inauguration of the Basic Civilian Harm Mitigation Course 1/2026 at the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre in Abuja on Monday, 9 March 2026.
He said ongoing joint military operations have continued to limit the movement and activities of terrorist groups, forcing them into increasingly desperate actions. He added that the Nigerian Air Force, working with other security agencies, has maintained surveillance, rapid response capacity and close interagency coordination to keep hostile elements under pressure.
Air Marshal Aneke said the protection of civilian lives remains central to military operations and should be seen as a strength rather than a constraint. According to him, protecting non combatants improves operational credibility, builds public confidence and strengthens the image of the Nigerian Air Force as a disciplined and responsible service.
The Chief of the Air Staff was represented at the event by the Director of Air Operations at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal A. Bamidele. He explained that the course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and judgement needed to factor civilian protection into operational planning, intelligence work, targeting decisions and mission execution.
He said the training would expose participants to key areas such as International Humanitarian Law, Rules of Engagement, positive target identification and other safeguards aimed at reducing the risk of civilian harm during operations.
He also urged the participants to take the course seriously, stressing that the lessons learnt should go beyond the classroom and shape decisions taken in planning rooms, command centres and operational theatres.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Civil Military Relations at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gapkwet, said civilian protection has become an important measure of success in modern warfare. He noted that military effectiveness is now judged not only by battlefield outcomes, but also by how well civilian harm is prevented, addressed and studied for future improvement.
In his welcome address, the Commandant of the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, Air Vice Marshal G. I. Jibia, said the centre’s expanded mandate now includes Air Ground Integration and Civilian Harm Mitigation training for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He said the development strengthens the centre’s role as the Nigerian Air Force’s operational think tank and supports better coordination among air, land and maritime forces during joint operations in line with global best practice.
A total of 26 participants are attending the course. They include air component commanders, operational pilots, unmanned aerial vehicle operators, legal advisers and civil military relations officers.
