The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it remains committed to ensuring safety of civilians during its operations in in conflict zones.
To this end, it has organized a five-day Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) in Air Operations course for the first batch of specially selected officers.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said the training reflects the Service’s unwavering resolve to ensure that precision, legality, and humanity remain at the heart of every mission.
The CHM course runs in three batches (30 officers each) from 11 August to 5 September 2025.
It is organized in partnership with Conflict, Security and Development Consult Limited.
Officers underwent a rigorous curriculum covering International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the context of Nigerian air operations.
Others are: precision selection of ordinance to minimize collateral damage, the application of Rules of Engagement, Positive Target Identification Methods, targeting categorization, the No-Strike List (NSL), and the Sensitive Target Approval and Review (STAR) process.
Practical modules also addressed advanced protocols for engaging sensitive targets under operational pressure.
Fulfillment of promise
Represented by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the Chief of Civilian Military Relations, the Chief of Air Staff described the initiative as an extension of the NAF’s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP), inaugurated earlier this year.
“From the very beginning of my tenure, I made it clear that protecting civilians is not just a moral duty, it is a professional imperative,” the CAS stated.
“The CHMR-AP was our blueprint to institutionalize this principle, ensuring that every commander, crew, and analyst is trained to apply the highest standards of humanitarian consideration in mission planning and execution.”
He noted a marked reduction in collateral damage incidents in recent months despite the sustained tempo of air operations.
“We have seen the difference that deliberate planning, real-time intelligence, and strict targeting protocols can make.
Air Marshall Abubakar stressed that beyond mere compliance with international law, NAF sees civilian protection as a strategic advantage.
“When communities see that we take extraordinary measures to keep them safe, we build trust.
That trust is a force multiplier; it strengthens intelligence sharing and isolates hostile actors.
During the training sessions for the first batch, officers underwent a rigorous curriculum covering International Humanitarian Law in the context of ordinance to minimize collateral damage, the applications of Rules of Engagement, Positive Target Identification Methods, Targeting Categorization, the no strike list, and the sensitive target approval and review process.
