Chief Of Air Staff Reassures Protection For Civilian Priority In Ongoing Operations

In line with the vision for a mission-ready and people-focused Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has reiterated the Service’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding civilian lives and property.

This was emphasized through a high-level strategic visit to Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Sector 2, led on his behalf by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, to reaffirm the priority of protecting civilians in the ongoing fight against insurgency and banditry in Nigeria’s North West.

While addressing frontline personnel, AVM Daramola commended the Air Component for its operational successes, describing them as a reflection of the CAS’s transformational leadership. He stressed that every mission must reflect not just tactical precision, but strategic empathy. “The trust of the people remains our most potent force multiplier,” he noted, while highlighting the importance of credible intelligence from the public to neutralise criminal elements without unintended consequences.

The visit also reinforced the Air Force’s compliance with international humanitarian law and best practices, further affirming NAF’s professional excellence and dedication to responsible air operations. As the Service deepens civil-military relations and blends kinetic efforts with community engagement, the message is clear: protecting the people remains at the heart of every mission.