By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has strengthened its civil–military cooperation architecture with renewed 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), in furtherance of its smart-operations reform agenda.
The visits, led by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations (CCMR), Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, were conducted in line with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, for intelligence-led, accountable and humane air operations.
At the NHRC, the Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu, commended the NAF for what he described as “bold, deliberate and necessary steps” towards institutionalising the protection of civilians in military operations.
According to him, the development of civilian harm mitigation mechanisms, strengthened accountability protocols and improved post-strike assessment frameworks represent a significant leap in aligning air operations with human rights principles.
Dr Ojukwu also called for the revitalisation of the NHRC–Military Dialogue to promote transparency, address allegations and reinforce compliance with national and international humanitarian standards.
Speaking during engagements with the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, and the Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar Babadoko, AVM Gabkwet said the collaboration would enhance the protection of vulnerable persons, improve prosecution processes and strengthen case management involving military personnel.
“Under the leadership of the Chief of the Air Staff, our operations are driven by intelligence, legality and accountability. Precision must always be balanced with restraint. We must protect the people we serve even as we neutralise threats,” AVM Gabkwet stated.
He added that the partnerships would also deepen joint training programmes to improve legal awareness, operational judgement and discipline across the Service.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, in a statement on Friday, said the renewed engagements demonstrate the Service’s commitment to rights-based, multi-agency operations.
“These strategic partnerships reaffirm the Nigerian Air Force’s resolve to entrench accountability while delivering effective air power in defence of the nation,” Ejodame said.
The delegation comprised senior officers overseeing human rights, legal coordination, gender affairs and inter-agency cooperation.