The chief of the air staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has warned that allegations of civilian casualties arising from military air operations can undermine public confidence, damage the reputation of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and weaken the legitimacy of security missions.
Speaking on Tuesday at the inaugural seminar on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response for Strategic Level Officers in Abuja, Aneke said recent controversies surrounding military operations had highlighted the need for stronger institutional safeguards to protect civilians and improve accountability.
He said that while the air force remained committed to conducting professional and responsible operations, incidents involving civilian harm – whether verified or alleged – carried significant consequences for both military effectiveness and public trust.
“Allegations arising from some past air operations involving civilian casualties have brought to the fore the need for stronger institutional understanding and application of the principles of civilian harm mitigation and response,” Aneke said.
“These incidents, whether verified or alleged, have far-reaching ramifications on mission legitimacy, public confidence and relationships with our stakeholders, both domestic and foreign. More importantly, they affect the reputation and integrity of the Nigerian Air Force as a disciplined and professional force.”
The air chief argued that success in modern warfare could no longer be measured solely by battlefield gains, but also by the extent to which military operations safeguard civilian lives and property.
“As we continue to confront complex and asymmetric security threats across various theatres of operation, it has become increasingly evident that operational success can no longer be measured solely by tactical achievements, but by the extent to which civilian lives and properties are protected,” he said.
Aneke stressed that maintaining the trust of citizens was essential to achieving lasting security outcomes and said the NAF had taken steps in recent years to embed civilian harm mitigation and response mechanisms within its operations.
According to him, the seminar was designed to strengthen the understanding of senior officers whose decisions influence operational outcomes, institutional credibility and public perception.
He rejected suggestions that civilian protection measures could hinder military effectiveness, describing them instead as tools for improving operational performance.
“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,” he said.
“It is about sharpening our thinking before action, improving our awareness during operations and strengthening our accountability measures thereafter. Most importantly, it is about people and recognising that most operations occur in environments where they live, work and hope for safety.”
The air chief urged commanders and operational personnel to strengthen target verification procedures, conduct rigorous post-operation assessments and draw lessons from missions, particularly where outcomes fall short of expectations.
“Where harm does occur, our response must reflect professionalism, honesty and responsibility,” he added.
Aneke expressed confidence that the seminar would encourage deeper discussion of best practices and practical strategies for reducing civilian harm while sustaining operational effectiveness against insurgent and criminal groups.
The remarks come against the backdrop of growing scrutiny of military air operations in Nigeria’s conflict-affected regions, particularly in the north-east and north-west, where rights organisations and local communities have repeatedly raised concerns about civilian casualties linked to counterinsurgency strikes.
Military authorities have often attributed such incidents to faulty intelligence, mistaken identity or the challenges of targeting armed groups embedded within civilian populations. However, campaigners have continued to call for greater transparency, accountability and stronger protections for non-combatants.
In response to those concerns, the Nigerian Air Force has in recent years introduced a number of initiatives aimed at improving operational oversight, strengthening civilian protection measures and enhancing transparency in the conduct of air operations.
