The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched the Basic Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) Course 1/2026 as part of efforts to reduce civilian casualties and strengthen professionalism in air operations across the country.
The course was inaugurated on Monday at the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre (AWDC) by the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, represented by the Director of Air Operations, AVM Ayo Bamidele.
In his remarks, Aneke described the course as a milestone in the professional evolution of the Nigerian Air Force.
He said modern air operations were increasingly conducted in complex environments, making the careful application of air power critical.
“Civilian harm mitigation is not only a moral and legal responsibility, it is also a strategic enabler that strengthens mission legitimacy, public trust and long-term operational success,” he said.
The Chief of the Air Staff added that the AWDC would conduct quarterly CHM courses and introduce a Training-of-Trainers programme later in the year to deepen institutional capacity.
He urged participants to internalise the principles of civilian harm mitigation in operational planning and execution.
Also speaking, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, AVM Edward Gabkwet, said the initiative reflected the evolving nature of NAF operations and the service’s commitment to safeguarding civilian lives while carrying out its constitutional duties.
According to him, military success today is measured not only by operational outcomes but also by how operations are perceived and how effectively harm to civilians is prevented or addressed.
Gabkwet explained that the CHM initiative focuses on prevention through improved decision-making, institutional learning and accountability, as well as building public trust through transparency and respect for civilian lives.
“The course translates policy into practical capability by integrating civilian harm considerations into operational planning, intelligence, targeting and command decisions,” he said.
He added that the Nigerian Air Force had also established a Civilian Harm Mitigation Governing Board to provide policy direction and oversight for the programme across the service.
Earlier, the Commandant of AWDC, AVM Garba Jibia, said the centre served as the intellectual hub for air power development in the Nigerian Air Force, making it an appropriate platform for the training.
Jibia noted that the complexity of modern security environments, particularly in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, required the deliberate institutionalisation of civilian harm mitigation principles.
“The Basic CHM Course is designed to deepen understanding, sharpen decision-making and promote honest reflection on the challenges of operating where civilians and combatants are often intermingled,” he said.
He added that the centre had recently been mandated to conduct both Civilian Harm Mitigation and Air-Ground Integration training for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to enhance joint operations and minimise collateral damage during missions.
According to him, the course will expose participants to scenario-based learning aimed at improving operational judgement and ensuring that air power is applied with precision while safeguarding civilian lives.