By Joy Odor
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken a significant step towards enhancing civilian protection in conflict areas by establishing a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHRM) Board.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Board on 8 July 2025, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, board will oversee the implementation of the NAF’s Civilian Harm Mitigation Action Plan (CHRM-AP), reflecting the NAF’s commitment to upholding international humanitarian law and accountability in air operations.
Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, the CAS
reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to protecting civilians during operations, emphasizing the importance of precision, accountability, and humanity.
He affirmed that the board would drive the execution of the CHRM-AP across the NAF’s organizational structure, including joint operational environments, and will be responsible for identifying, compiling, and assessing data on civilian harm incidents.
The CAS mentioned that NAF aimed to reduce the risk of civilian casualties, foster greater public trust, and ensure operational transparency through the institutionalization of civilian harm mitigation.
Air Marshal Abubakar informed that NAF is committed to minimizing harm to civilians and ensuring that its missions are conducted with precision and accountability.
He opined that, by prioritizing civilian protection, NAF aimed to build greater public trust and legitimacy in its operations.
“The CHRM Board will ensure that the protection of civilians remains central to all mission planning and execution, balancing operational effectiveness with ethical responsibility.
“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. NAF has consistently adapted its strategy to suit Nigeria’s evolving threat environment, employing air power with precision in various theatres across the country.
“The establishment of the CHMR Board is another layer in this transformation, reinforcing the NAF’s mission to balance operational effectiveness with ethical responsibility” he said.
