Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians in conflict zones through a specialized Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) training course for selected officers.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, announced the initiative at the opening of the five-day training, which is the first of three batches running from August 11 to September 5, 2025. The programme, coordinated by the Civil-Military Relations Branch and delivered in partnership with Conflict, Security and Development Consult Limited, reflects the NAF’s dedication to precision, legality, and humanity in military operations.
Officers in the first batch underwent rigorous instruction covering International Humanitarian Law (IHL) specific to Nigerian air operations, precision ordnance selection to minimize collateral damage, Rules of Engagement, Positive Target Identification, Target Categorization, the No-Strike List, and the Sensitive Target Approval and Review process. Practical exercises also addressed protocols for managing sensitive targets in high-pressure environments.
Represented by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Chief of Civilian Military Relations, Air Marshal Abubakar described the course as integral to the NAF’s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP), launched earlier this year. “Protecting civilians is not just a moral duty; it is a professional imperative,” he emphasized.
A statement from Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations, noted that the CHMR-AP has contributed to a noticeable reduction in collateral damage despite sustained air operations. The training equips officers with the tools, judgment, and mindset to safeguard civilians amid complex missions.
Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted that civilian protection strengthens community trust, which enhances intelligence sharing and isolates hostile actors, framing it as both a humanitarian and strategic priority.
The remaining two batches will complete the training by early September, underscoring the NAF’s ongoing commitment to embedding civilian protection at the core of its operational strategy.
By Taiwo Olatinwo | August 18, 2025
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