Fewer civilian casualties as NAF adopts smarter airstrike strategy

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has announced a marked reduction in collateral damage resulting from Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations in recent months, attributing the development to enhanced training in civilian protection protocols.

In a statement issued by NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Ejodame, the CAS stated that the decrease in unintended harm to civilians comes despite ongoing and intensified air operations targeting terrorists and other criminal elements across the country.

Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted the recent implementation of the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP), a strategic initiative designed to institutionalise best practices in protecting non-combatants during military operations.

“From the beginning of my tenure, I made it clear that protecting civilians is not just a moral duty—it is a professional imperative,” Abubakar said. “The CHMR-AP ensures that every commander, crew member, and analyst is trained to apply the highest standards of humanitarian consideration in mission planning and execution.”

The CHMR-AP includes a tailored Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) training course, which has already shown tangible results. The training equips personnel with tools, intelligence frameworks, and decision-making protocols that prioritise civilian safety without compromising mission effectiveness.

So far, 30 officers from various NAF departments have completed the inaugural five-day CHM course. These include pilots, UAV operators, armament specialists, legal officers, and public relations experts.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet emphasised that the training reflects a shift from compliance to commitment, viewing civilian protection not only as a legal requirement but as a strategic advantage.

“When communities see that we take extraordinary measures to keep them safe, trust is built,” Gabkwet said. “That trust enhances intelligence sharing and isolates hostile actors. Protecting civilians is not only the right thing to do—it is the smart thing to do.”

The Air Force leadership reiterated that future operations will continue to be guided by precision, legality, and humanity, as part of its commitment to professionalism and global best practices in armed conflict.