By Bavoriat Clara
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has earned international recognition for its pioneering leadership in safeguarding civilians during military operations, following its robust implementation of the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response-Action Plan (CHMR-AP). The accolades poured in at the recently held United Nations (UN) and Tunisian Defence Forces–sponsored Conference on Protection of Civilians in Tunis, Tunisia.
In a statement released by the NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Force was commended by global defence and humanitarian leaders for embedding a culture of accountability, operational ethics, and civilian protection into its military doctrine. Observers at the conference noted that the NAF’s strategic integration of leadership oversight, data collection, and specialized training represented a forward-thinking model that other air forces should emulate.
The NAF’s proactive steps to minimize risks associated with target misidentification and confirmation bias were particularly praised. Its development of a strategic communication framework to guide public engagement and institutional response to incidents of civilian harm was also highlighted as a cutting-edge approach to transparency and trust-building.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, at the international gathering, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Cooperation and Coordination at the NAF Civil-Military Relations Branch, underscored the moral and constitutional duty to protect civilians. “It is not just a matter of best practice,” he stated, “it is a core national obligation enshrined in our Constitution. We must uphold human dignity, even in times of war.”
Air Marshal Abubakar, in a separate address, reiterated the NAF’s commitment to a balance between operational efficiency and humanitarian responsibility. “Air power must be precise, but also principled,” he said. “Operational success is hollow if it comes at the cost of innocent lives. Our doctrine must reflect precision, discipline, and compassion.”
Under his leadership, the CHMR-AP has moved from policy to practice with remarkable speed. The Chief of the Air Staff revealed that a CHMR Board has been established to oversee policy direction, while a Civilian Harm Assessment Cell has been activated to investigate incidents thoroughly and impartially. In addition, a new department has been launched at the Air Warfare Centre to spearhead training and field integration of the civilian protection strategy.
“Civilian harm mitigation is no longer a concept it’s embedded in our planning, our operations, and our command decisions,” Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized. “We are transforming the way we fight, and more importantly, why we fight.”
The two-day international forum convened over 100 high-level participants, including military officials, UN representatives, civil society actors, and regional defence stakeholders. Among the notable attendees were the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix; Senegal’s Minister of the Armed Forces, General Birame Diop (Rtd); and Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Defence, Mr Ernest Brogyi Genyi.
Beyond the recognition of the Nigerian Air Force, the conference served as a clarion call for a united continental commitment to protecting civilian lives in conflict zones.
The message from Tunis was resounding: Africa’s militaries are evolving, and at the helm of this transformation stands Nigeria’s Air Force proving that real strength lies not only in firepower but in restraint, responsibility, and respect for humanity.
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