The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified collaboration with key national institutions to strengthen accountability, improve intelligence-led operations, and enhance civilian protection across its theatres of operation.

The chief of civil-military relations (CCMR), AVM Edward Gabkwet, led separate strategic engagements with key relevant agencies in line with the operational vision of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.

NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Gabkwet had 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).

He said the engagements reflect the CAS’ commitment to ensuring that NAF operations are guided by intelligence, legality, and accountability.

According to him, the service seeks to neutralise threats with precision while safeguarding civilians and upholding national values.

During the visit to the NHRC, its executive secretary, Tony Ojukwu, commended the NAF for what he described as deliberate steps toward integrating human rights safeguards into air operations.

Mr Ojukwu said the service’s efforts to strengthen civilian harm mitigation, accountability processes, and post-strike assessments represent a major shift toward aligning national security operations with international humanitarian standards.

He also called for the revival of the NHRC–Military Dialogue Forum to deepen cooperation and promote transparency in addressing allegations involving security forces.

At NAPTIP and the DPP, Mr Gabkwet met with the NAPTIP director-general, Binta Adamu Bello, and the director of public prosecution, Mohammed Babadoko, to expand areas of collaboration.

Discussions focused on protecting vulnerable groups, improving prosecution pathways, enhancing case management involving military personnel, and strengthening joint training on legal awareness and operational judgment.

Senior NAF officers responsible for human rights, legal cooperation, gender affairs, and inter-agency relations were part of the delegation.

According to officials, the renewed partnerships are expected to enhance mission effectiveness while reinforcing the service’s smart operations framework across its deployments. 

(NAN)