The House of Representatives has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in stopping Nigerian Army from the planned operation positive identification which was scheduled to commence on 1st November 2019.
Also, the House resolved to mandate its committee on Army to interface with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to develop a people-friendly strategy to combat crimes.
It was gathered that the decision followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu. While moving the motion, Elumelu described the proposed operation as “infringement on the rights of Nigerians.”
He further stressed that it will be “an indirect state of emergency if allowed to take place,”.
He supported the motion by citing some sections of the constitution which according to him is against the planned operation.
Hence, the sections are 217 subs 2(c, d). It 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.”
Additionally, while supporting the motion, the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, opined that the proposal is not within the mandate of the Army.
He was quoted saying “It is not part of their mandate, we have the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) 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.
What defect is it supposed to cure?
We have to interrogate this through the committee on the Army.”
After long deliberation, the motion was unanimously adopted when put to vote by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.