Safeguarding Lives, Strengthening Trust: Nigerian Air Force Unveils Civilian Harm Mitigation Action Plan

Safeguarding Lives, Strengthening Trust: Nigerian Air Force Unveils Civilian Harm Mitigation Action Plan

In a historic stride toward enhancing civil-military relations and reinforcing its commitment to the protection of civilian lives, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on 20 May 2025 unveiled its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMRAP). The unveiling took place during the flagship seminar of the NAF’s 61st Anniversary celebrations, held at the NAF Officers’ Mess and Suites, Kado, Abuja.

The seminar, themed “Optimizing Civil-Military Relations in a Joint Operational Environment for Enhanced Air Operations,” underscored the imperative of integrating humanitarian considerations into air operations, particularly in asymmetric warfare settings where the risk to civilian populations is elevated.

In his remarks, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, described the CHMRAP as a bold and unprecedented initiative, noting that it is the first of its kind within the Armed Forces of Nigeria. “This policy framework,” he said, “is designed to guide our efforts in reducing the scale and impact of harm to civilians during air operations. It formalises our operational values of precision, accountability, and restraint.”

Reaffirming the Air Force’s loyalty to democratic ideals, the CAS stated: “The NAF remains firmly apolitical and deeply committed to the rule of law, transparency, and respect for fundamental human rights. This unwavering allegiance to constitutional governance reflects our enduring dedication to protecting the sovereignty and unity of our nation.”

Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted that the citizenry remains the most valued partner in the nation’s security architecture. “National security is a shared responsibility,” he stressed. “This action plan is our pledge to continue earning the trust of the Nigerian people by conducting our operations with compassion, responsibility, and respect for human life.”

The CAS also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued support, particularly in the acquisition of modern air platforms such as the AH-1Z attack helicopters and M-346 fighter aircraft. These platforms, he noted, will enhance mission precision and further minimise civilian harm during operations.

During the seminar, a keynote address was delivered on behalf of the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, by Professor Usman Tar, the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs. The event also featured two incisive lectures titled “Building Trust and Cooperation for Sustainable Civil-Military Relations” and “Civil-Military Relations and Operational Effectiveness: NAF Operations in Perspective”, presented by Professor Usman Istifanus Zabadi and Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya (Retired), respectively. These thought-provoking lectures were followed by robust discussions, which further enriched the seminar and deepened participants’ understanding of the subject matter.