CAS warns civilian casualty claims undermine air operations legitimacy
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, warns that allegations of civilian casualties during military air operations could undermine mission legitimacy and public trust. Speaking at a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response seminar in Abuja Tuesday, Aneke emphasized that operational success must be measured by both battlefield outcomes AND civilian protection. The Nigerian Air Force is institutionalizing civilian harm mitigation mechanisms and urging commanders to strengthen target verification processes. Where civilian harm occurs, responses must reflect professionalism, honesty and responsibility. This framework, Aneke stressed, enhances precision and effectiveness—not constrains operations. Will these new civilian protection measures reshape how military operations are evaluated and conducted?