The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has constituted a committee of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to investigate reported cases of accidental air strikes on civilian population in some parts of the country.
The NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the committee will compile all allegations of air strikes on civilians and review the circumstances leading to such misadventures.
He said the probe is with “a view to proffering far-reaching measures that would mitigate future incidences of collateral damages on civilians during Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations.”
The Air Force Chief disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Air Operations Seminar holding in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Thursday.
Amao noted that “the investigation further aims at promoting accountability, allow the NAF to learn valuable lessons in order to avoid or mitigate similar cases in the future as well as take extra measures to minimize civilians harm and casualties in conflict areas.”
While congratulating 17 pilots winged as highlight during the opening ceremony of the Seminar, Amao, implored them to be prepared for the arduous task ahead noting that, there is no better way to launch you into your operational flying career than to have you draw from the rich operational experiences of seasoned pilots who will be discussing germane issues relevant to air operations.”
He reminded the new pilots to “always adhere to laid down Rules of Engagement while also taking all necessary steps to protect civilians and minimize civilian casualties during operations.”
He said: “The efforts to mitigate civilian casualties are not just a reflection of NAF values as a Service, but also strategically imperative to our operations.”
The CAS, while recalling the current security challenges bedeviling the nation, stressed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria has made significant gains in curtailing and degrading the resources and capabilities of miscreants that seek to destabilize the nation.
He lauded the efforts of the NAF in unleashing the coercive effects of air power, particularly on terrorists through intensive air interdiction of their locations and facilities.
These punitive strikes, according to the CAS, have degraded their resources, disrupted their supply lines, and denied them their freedom of movement.
In welcoming other participants and invitees to the Seminar, Amao, pointed out that the theme of the Operations Seminar, “Harnessing Nigerian Air Force Combat Experience in Joint Military Operations for Doctrinal Development,” was borne out of the need to draw instructions from the diverse and rich air combat experiences towards the development of sound doctrinal principles to guide future engagements.
This, according to the CAS, is largely because lessons learnt from previous campaigns remain veritable sources of inputs for doctrinal development. “Hence the need to re-appraise our past operational successes and failures in order to re-strategize towards a more operationally effective NAF that can contribute to expeditiously ending the current scourge of insecurity,” he stated.
– Media Report