ABUJA — The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has issued a strong warning regarding the impact of civilian casualties on military operations, stating that such incidents whether verified or merely alleged gravely threaten the legitimacy, reputation, and public trust of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
Redefining Operational Success
Speaking on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at a seminar on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) for strategic-level officers in Abuja, Air Marshal Aneke emphasized that the metrics for military success in modern, asymmetric warfare must evolve.
Beyond Tactical Wins: Aneke asserted that operational success can no longer be defined solely by tactical battlefield victories. Instead, the true measure of a mission's success now includes the extent to which civilian lives and property are preserved.
Institutional Integrity: The Air Chief stressed that allegations of civilian harm undermine the NAF's standing as a professional, disciplined force. He noted that maintaining the public's trust is an essential pillar of long-term operational effectiveness.
Strengthening Mitigation Mechanisms
The seminar, organized by the NAF’s Civil-Military Relations Branch, aimed to equip senior officers with the tools to better integrate civilian protection into strategic planning.
Not a Constraint: Air Marshal Aneke pushed back against the view that civilian harm mitigation acts as a limitation on operational capability. Instead, he described it as a "framework that enhances precision, improves decision-making, and ultimately preserves strategic legitimacy."
Call to Action: He urged military commanders to sharpen target verification processes and ensure thorough post-operational evaluations. He specifically called for professionalism, honesty, and responsibility in cases where harm does occur.
The NAF has faced persistent criticism from rights groups regarding civilian safety during counterinsurgency operations in the North-East and North-West. In response, the service has recently taken deliberate steps to institutionalize CHMR principles across all levels of its command structure to align with international best practices.
