Esther Oseyiomon
The Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has stressed that trust and cooperation with civilians are now central to military success.
He made this known at the Civil-Military Relations Conference 2026 held by the Nigerian Air Force on March 24 in Abuja.
According to Aneke, modern warfare goes beyond combat strength and requires strong public engagement and accountability.
He said the Air Force has improved its community relations through better communication and feedback systems.
The CAS also pointed to compensation for victims of an accidental airstrike in Sokoto as part of efforts to promote transparency.
He noted that ongoing intervention projects in different states are helping to build confidence between the military and the public.
Aneke called for improved intelligence gathering and closer collaboration with other agencies.
Also speaking, Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Edward Gabkwet, said new initiatives have been introduced to enhance civilian protection and trust.
The conference featured expert discussions aimed at improving civil-military cooperation and operational effectiveness.