In a decisive move to reinforce civilian protection and operational transparency, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inaugurated a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) Board to implement its Civilian Harm Mitigation Action Plan (CHMR-AP).
The initiative was unveiled during the board’s inaugural meeting on July 8, 2025, marking a significant step in NAF’s commitment to international humanitarian law and the ethical conduct of air operations.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, stressed that civilian protection remains central to NAF’s operational strategy.
“We are embedding accountability and precision into every mission,” the CAS stated, emphasizing that the CHMR Board will drive coordination across the force to ensure effective implementation of mitigation measures.
The board is tasked with collecting, assessing, and analyzing data on civilian harm incidents, drawing from operational intelligence, partner reports, NGOs, civil society, and open sources. It will work closely with the NAF’s Civilian Harm Assessment and Investigation Cell to identify patterns, recommend improvements, and monitor progress.
Air Marshal Abubakar described the move as a critical institutional reform, adding, “Every innocent life matters. Our mission must never come at the cost of civilian safety.”
He said the NAF’s evolving airpower strategy has consistently adapted to Nigeria’s dynamic threat environment, with the CHMR Board now serving as a vital pillar in ensuring ethical and effective operations.
The new board aims to strengthen public trust, improve transparency, and institutionalize best practices in civilian protection across all theatres of operation.
