In a concerted effort to strengthen their alliance, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have underscored the necessity of enhancing their joint commitment to the promotion of International Humanitarian Laws (IHL). The ICRC, globally recognized for its impartial and humanitarian missions, has been instrumental in providing extensive training to numerous NAF officers and enlisted personnel, focusing on the principles of IHL. This aligns with the ICRC’s mission to safeguard the lives and dignity of individuals affected by war and internal violence. The organization’s extensive collaboration with armed forces worldwide, including the NAF, revolves around advocating for and ensuring adherence to laws governing armed conflicts during hostilities. These developments were disclosed during a recent visit to the NAF Headquarters by the ICRC team, led by Mr. Yann Bonzon.
During the interaction, Mr. Yann emphasized that the ongoing partnership between the NAF and ICRC signifies a mutual dedication to upholding humanitarian values and ensuring the humane treatment of those impacted by armed conflicts. He highlighted the dialogue between the two organizations as evidence of their shared commitment to advancing humanitarian efforts and instilling a culture of respect for human rights amid challenges posed by conflict situations. Mr. Yann commended the NAF for its efforts in promoting adherence to IHL among its personnel. He expressed appreciation for NAF’s consistent support and protection provided to ICRC staff during humanitarian activities, particularly in the Northeast and other operational areas across the country. Additionally, he conveyed ICRC’s commitment to ongoing dialogue with the NAF to address humanitarian needs collaboratively.
In response, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff, expressed gratitude for ICRC’s significant contributions to NAF’s activities. He specifically acknowledged the impactful role played by ICRC in areas such as humanitarian assistance, training, and research in operational theatres, units, colleges, and training institutions. Air Marshal Abubakar underscored the positive influence of ICRC’s involvement in enhancing the handling of humanitarian activities. Emphasizing collaboration and cooperation, he reiterated NAF’s readiness to engage with ICRC and other organizations to ensure the strict adherence to humanitarian laws in the execution of operations. The meeting concluded on a positive note, highlighting the joint commitment of both organizations to collectively address and overcome humanitarian challenges.
