The Nigerian Air Force has inaugurated a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Board, to lead the execution of its newly developed Civilian Harm Mitigation Action Plan aiming at strengthening civilian protection during operations.
The board would also ensure adherence to international humanitarian law and greater operational accountability in conflict zones.
Over the past decade, the Nigerian Air Force has played a central role in counterinsurgency and anti-banditry operations across the country, particularly in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions.
While these operations have been instrumental in degrading insurgent capabilities, they have also drawn significant scrutiny due to several high-profile airstrikes that tragically resulted in civilian deaths.
One of the most widely condemned incidents occurred on January 17, 2017, when a NAF fighter jet mistakenly bombed an internally displaced persons camp in Rann, Borno State, during an operation targeting Boko Haram.
The airstrike killed at least 112 civilians, including aid workers, and injured scores more.
The NAF admitted the mistake and launched an internal investigation, but the incident highlighted serious lapses in intelligence and coordination.
Another tragedy happened in April 2021, when residents of Mainok, also in Borno, alleged that a NAF airstrike intended for insurgents hit a gathering of civilians.
Though the military initially denied wrongdoing, human rights groups and eyewitness reports suggested otherwise.
In September 2021, at least nine civilians were killed in a mistaken strike on Maru village in Zamfara State, during a military offensive against armed bandits.
Similarly, in January 2023, villagers in Nasawa, Niger State, were accidentally targeted during air raids, leading to further calls for accountability and reform.
A statement on Tuesday by the service’s spokesman, Air Comdre Ehimen Ejodame, said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, reaffirmed the NAF’s dedication to safeguarding civilian lives in all its air operations.
“The NAF remains resolute in ensuring its missions are conducted with precision, accountability, and humanity.
“We will continue to adapt and refine our strategies to minimise harm and strengthen the legitimacy of our operations,” the CAS stated.
He directed the CHMR board to oversee the implementation of the action plan across all levels of NAF operations, including joint military missions.
“Effective implementation requires prompt coordination across the entire NAF echelon. This board will ensure that our commitment is translated into measurable action,” he added.
Among its key responsibilities, he said the board would identify, compile, and assess civilian harm incidents, using intelligence from NAF combat assessments, allied forces, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, and open-source platforms.
“A dedicated civilian harm assessment and investigation cell will also conduct assessments, track trends, draw operational lessons, and monitor progress.
“This is a critical institutional step. 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 added.
Highlighting the evolution of the NAF’s strategic posture, he noted that the service had continually adjusted its approach to align with Nigeria’s changing threat landscape.
The CHMR Board, he added, marked another milestone in the ongoing transformation, balancing operational effectiveness with ethical responsibility.
According to the CAS, institutionalising civilian harm mitigation would not only reduce civilian casualties but also foster public trust and enhance transparency in military operations.
