The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has cautioned that reports or accusations of civilian casualties during military air missions could weaken public trust, damage the image of the Nigerian Air Force, and affect the credibility of security operations.
He made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during the inaugural seminar on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response organised for senior military officers.
According to the Air Chief, although the Nigerian Air Force remains committed to conducting professional and carefully planned operations, concerns about civilian casualties—whether confirmed or still under investigation—continue to raise important questions about accountability and public perception.
He noted that such incidents can have serious consequences, including reducing confidence in military operations among Nigerians and international partners.
Air Marshal Aneke stressed that modern military success should not be judged only by victories on the battlefield but also by how effectively civilians and their property are protected during operations.
He explained that the growing complexity of security challenges across the country requires armed forces to place greater emphasis on safeguarding innocent lives while carrying out missions.
According to him, maintaining public support is critical to the long-term success of military campaigns, which is why the Air Force has been strengthening measures aimed at reducing civilian harm during operations.
The Air Chief said the seminar was organised to equip senior officers with the knowledge needed to make better operational decisions and improve institutional responses when civilian harm occurs.
He described civilian harm mitigation as a tool that improves operational accuracy and accountability rather than something that limits military effectiveness.
“Protecting civilians should not be viewed as a restriction on operations. It helps improve precision, decision-making, and strengthens the legitimacy of military actions,” he said.
Aneke also urged commanders to improve target verification procedures and carefully assess the outcomes of operations, especially in conflict zones where civilians may be at risk.
He added that whenever civilian harm occurs, military authorities must respond with transparency, professionalism, and a sense of responsibility.
The Air Chief expressed optimism that the seminar would help military leaders adopt global best practices for reducing civilian casualties while maintaining the effectiveness of ongoing security operations across Nigeria.