Reps label army’s ‘operation positive identification’ an infringement on Nigerians’ rights

The House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected the planned Operation Positive Identification by the military.

Following a motion of Urgent Public Importance moved by the Minority Leader, Ndidi Elumelu at Tuesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, the lawmakers urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the operation.

The Nigerian Army had said it would embark on the nationwide operation which it said was a part of efforts at combating insurgency and terrorism, armed banditry, kidnapping, herdsmen-farmers clashes, cultism, and communal crises, amongst others.

This, the army said would result in the increased presence of military personnel and other security agencies as well as the movement of military vehicles and hardware.

The army, however, advised Nigerians to carry an identity card always.

During the plenary, Elumelu described the proposed operation as “infringement on the rights of Nigerians.”

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“It will be an indirect state of emergency if allowed to take place and the plan contravenes sections Section 217 sub 2(c,d) of the 1999 constitution.

“The sections read: The Federation shall, subject to an Act of the National Assembly made in that behalf, equip and maintain the armed forces as may be considered adequate and effective for the purpose of —

“(b) Maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land, sea, or air;

“(c) suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly; and

“(d) Performance such other functions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.”

Also, the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu (PDP-Enugu), said the proposed plan was not within the mandate of the army.

He said: “It is not part of their mandate, we have the National Identity Management Commission and we have the security apparatus.

“Unfortunately we have been under siege by Boko Haram.

“They are simply belabouring themselves with jobs that do not concern them. We have to interrogate this through the Committee on the Army.

Also supporting the motion, Rep. Ahmadu Jaha (APC-Borno) proposed that the army commence offensive attacks “against Boko Haram and bandits in Northeast and Northwest.

“From Abuja to Maiduguri is 14 hours under normal circumstances; if you ask for identification at every checkpoint, how many days will it take before passengers get to their destination?”

The House unanimously supported the motion.

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