House Rejects Army’s Operation Positive Identification

The House of Representatives has kicked against Operation Positive Identification, which the army is scheduled to commence on Friday across the country.

The green chamber said rather than the army subjecting Nigerians to the treatment meted for conquered persons, the army should go on the offensive against the Boko Haram insurgents.

The House Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, had raised a point of order of national importance at the resumption of plenary yesterday, urging the House to stop the planned operation, saying it would strip Nigerians of their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of movement.

He insisted that the operation by the Army was a recipe for possible militarisation of Nigerians, adding that such plan by the army would lead to the infringement on fundamental rights of Nigerians, as enshrined in the 1999 constitution (as amended).

He added that the plan, if allowed, would downgrade innocent Nigerians to suspects, while it would also instil fear, anxiety and panic in the entire polity.

The minority leader noted that the nationwide operation would also amount to an indirect imposition of a state of emergency across the country by the Army.

He argued that such proposed military operations that involves direct contact and regulating of civilians could result in abuse and serious safety issues, especially at this time the country is battling with the scourge of victimisation and extrajudicial killings.