In line with the strategic vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified efforts to embed Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) principles into mission planning and execution across all theatres.
This, the Nigerian Airforce in a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said on Wednesday in Abuja, underscores its unwavering commitment to delivering smarter, more humane, and accountable airpower.
He explained that it was part of this effort, the NAF recently conducted Civil-Military Relations (CMR) engagements with NAF personnel in Maiduguri, Enugu and Bayelsa.
The initiative is aimed at enhancing operational precision, deepening empathy in the battlespace, and ensuring that every mission protects rather than endangers civilian lives.
Speaking during the engagements, the Chief of Civil Military Relations (CCMR), Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, who was represented by Air Commodore Elisha Bindul, posited that the recently reviewed NAF Civil-Military Relations Policy positions Civilian Harm Mitigation and Gender Mainstreaming as vital pillars of air operations.
This approach, he noted, reflects a deliberate shift toward “smarter airpower”, one that balances precision strikes with restraint, situational awareness, and respect for human life. Participants were reminded that NAF’s role transcends defending the nation’s airspace; it also includes building trust, promoting peace, and fostering cooperation within host communities.
Personnel were, therefore, urged to uphold professionalism and compassion in their engagements with civilians, as these values remain critical to mission success and long-term stability in conflict zones.
The interactive sessions provided a platform for personnel to share field experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange best practices. Deliberations centred on community engagement, inter-agency coordination, conflict resolution, and adherence to Rules of Engagement (ROE).
Participants were further reminded of the NAF’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual exploitation and abuse, emphasizing that lawful conduct and respect for human dignity are indispensable to operational credibility.
Highlighting the Service’s commitment to Civil-Military Cooperation, the NAF recalled previous humanitarian outreach programmes that benefited more than 2,000 civilians in host communities, initiatives that have attracted commendation from international partners for enhancing operational awareness and strengthening military-community relations.
Also, the representative of the CCMR disclosed that efforts are in top gear to implement Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in selected communities across the country under broader Civil-Military Cooperation initiatives.
He directed Unit CMR Desk Officers to sustain awareness campaigns and continuous training on Civilian Harm Mitigation and other humanitarian considerations. In his remarks during the engagement in Maiduguri, the Air Component Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Air Commodore Umar Idris, reiterated that effective community relations remain a strategic advantage in counter-insurgency operations, stressing that coordinated, lawful, and humane conduct is vital to sustaining tactical and moral superiority in the field.
Through initiatives such as these, the Nigerian Air Force continues to demonstrate that precision airpower is not only about targeting accuracy but about moral clarity, ensuring that every strike advances peace, protects civilians, and strengthens national and regional stability.
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