Air mishap: NAF inaugurates protection board for civilians
Authorities of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Tuesday, inaugurated a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) Board with a view to enhancing the protection of civilians in conflict-prone areas like Zamfara, Borno and others. The Force said the inauguration was important in order to lead the implementation of its Civilian Harm Mitigation Action Plan […]
Authorities of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Tuesday, inaugurated a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) Board with a view to enhancing the protection of civilians in conflict-prone areas like Zamfara, Borno and others.
The Force said the inauguration was important in order to lead the implementation of its Civilian Harm Mitigation Action Plan (CHMR-AP) as part of its commitment to upholding international humanitarian law and embedding accountability in air operations.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Board held at NAF’s headquarters, Abuja, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, said they would do everything to restore public confidence and trust in the force.
Abubakar, who spoke at the meeting through the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Ibikunle Daramola, an Air Vice Marshal, noted that they would not make it an option but a must in ensuring that civilians are protected during air operations.
- 90% of bandits terrorising Katsina are indigenes – Gov Radda
- Nigeria is in crisis: Enough of politicians; where are the statesmen?
“We will continue to adapt and refine our strategies to minimise harm and strengthen the legitimacy of our operations,” the CAS stated, while underscoring the importance of embedding civilian protection into the heart of NAF’s air power doctrine.
Daily Trust reports that the Board was tasked to drive the execution of the CHMR-AP across the full spectrum of NAF’s organisational structure, including joint operational environments.
The air chief added, “Effective implementation requires prompt coordination across the entire NAF echelon. This board will ensure that our commitment is translated into measurable action.”
He noted that the key responsibilities of the board include identifying, compiling, and assessing data on civilian harm incidents.
According to him, this encompasses intelligence from NAF combat assessments, reports from partner nations, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, and open-source materials.
“Additionally, the NAF Civilian Harm Assessment and Investigation Cell is charged with conducting harm assessments, analysing patterns and trends, drawing lessons and monitoring implementation progress,” he added.