The Defence Headquarters and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have launched a specialised Battlefield Mortuary Affairs Programme in Kaduna to enhance the recovery, identification, and dignified management of fallen soldiers.
Running from 27 July to 1 August at the Nigerian Air Force Base, the week-long initiative brings together personnel from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The curriculum combines indoor and outdoor training, including practical exercises and assessments covering search and recovery, Explosive Ordnance Disposal awareness, setting up mortuary collection points, examining remains, temporary burials, and repatriation.
Addressing delegates at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Director of the Defence Identification Centre, Air Commodore Chukwuma Ohanele, stressed the growing necessity of the initiative amidst ongoing military operations across Nigeria.
“With the high tempo of operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, battlefield deaths and their associated challenges have become inevitable,” Ohanele said. “Experts drawn from the ICRC and the Armed Forces of Nigeria will address these challenges.”
Beyond technical skills, the syllabus introduces participants to international humanitarian law, Nigerian military doctrine, and the legal frameworks surrounding mortuary affairs.
Ohanele emphasised that proper handling of fallen service members extends beyond standard military procedure.
“In the complex realities of modern conflict, the management of the dead is not only a technical responsibility but also a moral and humanitarian obligation,” he said.
Organisers expect the joint initiative to establish higher standards of accountability, professionalism, and respect for human dignity across all branches of the armed forces during combat operations.