The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has received international acclaim for its leadership in mitigating civilian harm during military operations, particularly through its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response-Action Plan (CHMR-AP). The recognition came at the recently concluded United Nations–Tunisian Defence Forces Conference on the Protection of Civilians, held in Tunis.
At the event, NAF was applauded for integrating civilian protection into its operational doctrine, including leadership oversight, specialized training, data collection, and strategic communications. These efforts were described as setting a new global benchmark for air forces committed to responsible and humanitarian-centered military engagement.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Cooperation and Coordination at the NAF Civil-Military Relations Branch, reaffirmed NAF’s commitment to safeguarding civilian lives. He stated that the protection of civilians is not only a legal and constitutional responsibility but a strategic imperative in modern warfare.
Highlighting progress made, AVM Gabkwet outlined key milestones such as the establishment of a strategic oversight board, a Civilian Harm Assessment Cell, and a specialized department at the Air Warfare Centre focused on capacity building and accountability.
The conference brought together over 100 participants, including senior military officials, United Nations representatives, and civil society actors. It underscored the growing influence of the NAF in promoting ethical, transparent, and people-centred military operations across the African continent.
The CHMR-AP was widely praised as a replicable model for other armed forces, reinforcing the importance of civilian protection as a core component of operational effectiveness and legitimacy in contemporary conflict settings.
