Segun Ojumu
Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) Board, signalling a significant step to enhance the protection of civilians in conflict areas. This initiative is designed to implement the NAF’s Civilian Harm Mitigation Action Plan (CHMR-AP), reflecting a deeper commitment to international humanitarian law and accountability in air operations.
Speaking at the Board’s inaugural meeting on July 8, 2025, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, reaffirmed the NAF’s dedication to protecting civilians. Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized the NAF’s resolve to conduct missions with “precision, accountability, and humanity.” As confirmed in a press release by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, the CAS stated, “We will continue to adapt and refine our strategies to minimise harm and strengthen the legitimacy of our operations,” stressing the importance of embedding civilian protection within the NAF’s air power doctrine.
The CHMR Board is tasked with executing the CHMR-AP across the entire NAF structure, including joint operational environments. The CAS noted that “Effective implementation requires prompt coordination across the entire NAF echelon. This board will ensure that our commitment is translated into measurable action.”
Key responsibilities of the board include identifying, compiling, and assessing data on civilian harm incidents from various sources, such as NAF combat assessments, reports from partner nations, non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, and open-source materials. Additionally, the NAF Civilian Harm Assessment and Investigation Cell will conduct harm assessments, analyze patterns and trends, learn lessons, and monitor implementation progress.
“This is a critical institutional step,” Air Marshal Abubakar affirmed. “We must ensure that our air operations do not compromise the safety of the very people we are sworn to protect. Every innocent life matters.” He explained that while the NAF has consistently adapted its strategy to Nigeria’s evolving threat environment, using air power with precision, the establishment of the CHMR Board adds another layer to this transformation, reinforcing the NAF’s mission to balance operational effectiveness with ethical responsibility.
By institutionalizing civilian harm mitigation, the NAF aims not only to reduce the risk of civilian casualties but also to foster greater public trust and operational transparency. The CHMR Board is expected to be a cornerstone for continuous reforms in air operations, ensuring that civilian protection remains central to all mission planning and execution.
Add Comment