The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has said that effective Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) enhances operational precision, accountability and mission success, rather than limiting military effectiveness.
Aneke stated this on Monday while declaring open the Nigerian Air Force’s maiden seminar on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response for strategic-level officers at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja.
The seminar brought together senior military officers, security stakeholders, policy experts, civil society organisations, journalists and subject-matter experts to strengthen institutional understanding of civilian protection in contemporary military operations.
Describing the seminar as a significant milestone, the air chief said the initiative underscores the NAF’s commitment to professionalism, accountability and the protection of civilians during military operations.
He reiterated the Air Force’s determination to institutionalise Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response across all levels of its operations, stressing that public trust and confidence remain critical to achieving lasting operational success.
According to him, CHMR serves as a framework that improves decision-making, enhances operational precision and preserves the strategic legitimacy of military actions.
“Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response is not a constraint on our operational effectiveness; rather, it is a framework that enhances precision, improves decision-making and ultimately preserves strategic legitimacy,” Aneke said.
He added that success in today’s complex security environment should be assessed not only by mission outcomes but also by the extent to which civilian lives and property are protected.
The CAS noted that integrating civilian protection considerations into military planning and execution strengthens accountability, operational discipline and overall mission effectiveness.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, described the seminar as a landmark initiative in the NAF’s efforts to deepen professionalism, accountability and civilian protection in military operations.
Gabkwet observed that contemporary military operations require a careful balance between achieving operational objectives and addressing humanitarian concerns, particularly in areas where civilian populations are present.
He stressed that operational success goes beyond tactical achievements and should also reflect the military’s ability to conduct operations with precision, discipline, restraint and respect for civilian safety and dignity.
According to him, the seminar provided an opportunity for knowledge sharing, professional reflection and constructive dialogue on best practices for enhancing civilian protection and operational excellence.
He expressed confidence that the engagement would further strengthen the NAF’s commitment to safeguarding civilian populations while effectively carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
The seminar forms part of the Nigerian Air Force’s broader efforts to promote responsible military conduct, strengthen civil-military relations and improve mission outcomes in line with global best practices.
