Counter-insurgency: CDS seeks policy to mitigate civilians harm

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin on Monday called for a national policy on civilian protection and harm mitigation during military operations.

Amidst criticism and pressures from the western powers over human rights issues, General Olosinakin said that despite the best of intention of military personnel in the North-East and South-South, incidental or accidental harm to innocent civilians can occur.

General Olosinakin disclosed this at ‘high level Dialogue on strengthening Civilian protection Policy and practice during Security Operations’ in Abuja.

The CDS who spoke through Rear Admiral Andrew Dacosta, the Chief of Administration Defence Headquarters, said that as the country grapples with the new concept of ‘War Amongst the People’,
it is imperative to continue to evolve civilian harm mitigation policies, parctices and procedures for our operational guidance.

He added that the military must enhance civilian harm mitigation measures during security operations as well as minimised caualties among personnel and prevent incidental harm to civilians.

In a related development, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olonisakin said at another event that the military will enhance its training and operational planning capability to manage and reduce collateral damages associated with its operations.

Insisting that Collateral damage remains one of the challenges the military had encountered in the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the North East.

He said that Counter insurgency operations in the North East have contributed significantly to the degradation of Boko Haram capability and the restoration of governance over the entire area.

Represented by the Chief of Training Operations, Major General Ahmed Mohammed, at the opening of two weeks training for operation officers on collateral damage the CDS noted that there is need to further isolate the insurgents and deny them freedom of action.

The two weeks training was organised by the British Military Assistance Training (BMATT).

The leader of the British training team, Wing Commander Mark Tillyard of Royal Air Force said at the training will sharpened the capabilities of participants on targeting for less collateral damages because “collateral damage is avoidable and it is something that must be discussed.”