The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has given insight into how it is intensifying its civil–military cooperation framework through a renewed series of strategic engagements with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Chief of Civil-Military Relations (CCMR), Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, said that this is being done in fulfilment of the vision of Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, for intelligence-led, accountable and smart operations.
AVM Gabwket said that towards this, he led high-level visits designed to reinforce accountability, enhance intelligence-driven decision-making, and advance smarter operational conduct across all NAF theatres.
During the visit to the NHRC, the Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu, commended the NAF for taking what he described as “bold, deliberate and necessary steps” to institutionalise civilian protection within air operations.
He noted that the development of civilian harm mitigation mechanisms, including strengthened accountability protocols and improved post-strike assessment frameworks, reflects a major advancement in the integration of human rights principles into national security operations.
Dr Ojukwu further encouraged the revival of the NHRC–Military Dialogue as a platform to deepen collaboration, address allegations transparently, and reinforce adherence to both domestic laws and international humanitarian standards.
At NAPTIP and the DPP, AVM Gabkwet engaged the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, and the Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar Babadoko, on expanded areas of cooperation.
Discussions centred on safeguarding vulnerable populations, improving prosecution pathways, strengthening the management of cases involving military personnel, and enhancing joint training programmes to deepen legal awareness, refine operational judgement, and promote discipline across the Service.
According to a statement by NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, AVM Gabkwet reiterated that under the leadership of the CAS, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the NAF remains committed not only to neutralising threats with precision and speed but doing so in a manner that reflects national values and global best practices.
“Our operations must protect the people we serve. Precision must match restraint. Force must be guided by intelligence, legality, and accountability,” he stated.
The statement noted that “These engagements advance the CAS’s strategic vision of integrating data fusion, multi-agency cooperation, and rights-based frameworks into NAF operations to enhance mission effectiveness while safeguarding civilian lives.
“The delegation included senior officers responsible for human rights, legal coordination, gender affairs, and inter-agency cooperation, signalling strong institutional commitment to long-term collaboration.
“Through these renewed partnerships, the Nigerian Air Force continues to strengthen its transformation into a force where operational excellence and civilian protection reinforce one another, creating a safer, smarter, and more humane security environment for all Nigerians.”
