In a significant push to boost public trust and operational accountability, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inaugurated a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) Board aimed at embedding civilian protection into the core of its military operations.
By Chimezie Godfrey
In a significant push to boost public trust and operational accountability, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inaugurated a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) Board aimed at embedding civilian protection into the core of its military operations.
The new board, which held its inaugural meeting on Monday, 8 July 2025, is saddled with the responsibility of implementing the NAF’s Civilian Harm Mitigation Action Plan (CHMR-AP), a strategic framework designed to minimise civilian casualties during air operations, especially in conflict zones.
Speaking during the meeting, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, who was represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, restated the NAF’s commitment to operating within the bounds of international humanitarian law.
“We will continue to adapt and refine our strategies to minimise harm and strengthen the legitimacy of our operations,” Abubakar said. He emphasised the importance of integrating civilian protection into the Air Force’s evolving air power doctrine.
The CHMR Board is expected to oversee and coordinate the execution of the action plan across all NAF commands, including in joint operational environments. The CAS described the initiative as a key step in institutionalising reforms that place a premium on accountability, precision, and humanity.
“This board will ensure that our commitment is translated into measurable action,” he said.
Part of the board’s mandate includes compiling and analysing reports of civilian harm from various sources — including internal NAF assessments, international partners, NGOs, civil society organisations, and open-source intelligence. A dedicated Civilian Harm Assessment and Investigation Cell will also analyse trends, draw lessons, and track implementation of reforms.
Air Marshal Abubakar described the development as a “critical institutional step” in the NAF’s ongoing transformation.
“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 said.
He noted that the establishment of the CHMR Board adds to the series of reforms the NAF has undertaken in response to Nigeria’s complex security landscape, particularly in using air power responsibly across various theatres of operation.
“The aim is not just to reduce the risk of civilian casualties, but to strengthen public confidence and ensure our operations are transparent and ethically grounded,” he added.
The CHMR Board is expected to serve as a foundation for further reforms, ensuring civilian protection remains central to all mission planning and execution.