In a significant step towards safeguarding civilian lives during military operations, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inaugurated a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) Board to spearhead the execution of its Civilian Harm Mitigation Action Plan (CHMR-AP). This bold move highlights NAF’s deepening commitment to international humanitarian law and the integration of accountability into air operations. Representing the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, at the inaugural meeting on 8 July 2025, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola emphasised the NAF’s dedication to executing missions with precision, responsibility, and humanity. “We will continue to adapt and refine our strategies to minimise harm and strengthen the legitimacy of our operations,” the CAS affirmed.
The CHMR Board has been tasked with overseeing the full implementation of the CHMR-AP across all levels of NAF operations, including joint theatres. Key functions include compiling data on civilian harm incidents, conducting harm assessments, analysing patterns, and tracking progress through the Civilian Harm Assessment and Investigation Cell. Information will be sourced from internal combat assessments as well as reports from partners, NGOs, civil society, and open sources. This mechanism ensures lessons are drawn, accountability is enforced, and progress is measurable.
Air Marshal Abubakar described the board as a vital institutional mechanism that reinforces NAF’s evolving strategy to balance operational effectiveness with ethical responsibility. “Every innocent life matters,” he stated, adding that this initiative is aimed not only at minimising civilian casualties but also at building public confidence and transparency in NAF operations. By institutionalising these measures, the NAF is setting a new benchmark for responsible air power application while reaffirming its mission to protect the Nigerian people.
#NAFForCivilians #CivilianProtection #NAFAccountability #AirPowerWithResponsibility #NAFReforms #PublicTrust #EthicalOperations #CHMR #CASLeadership #E
