BEVERLY HILLS, November 14, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives Thursday gave the military the approval to proceed with the controversial Operation Positive Identification exercise in the country.
The Lower House however asked the military to regularly brief the House Committee on Army on the progress of the exercise for proper assessment.
The approval followed the consideration of the report by the Abdulrasak Namdas- led Committee on Army.
Namdas, while presenting the report, moved for the consideration of the report of the Committee on Army on the Operation Positive Identification and approve the recommendations.
The House thereafter approved all the six clauses in the report and adopted it.
But the Minority Leader of the House, Rep Ndudi Elemelu, coming under order 6(1) kicked against the consideration of the report saying his constituency is against it.
However, Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, who presided noted that the Minority Leader cannot stop the process but can only point out what aspects he is dissatisfied with.
The House, in adopting the report, said: “That the Army can continue with the Operation Positive Identification, but in collaboration with other relevant Security Agencies, such as Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Police Force, who should lead in the Identification process.
“That a joint Intelligence and monitoring Team should be set up by the agencies involved in order to checkmate possible abuse of the exercise, such as extortion and assault on the people;
“That the Army should regularly brief the committee on Army for proper assessment of the exercise;
“That the Nigerian Army should disengage from the areas they have successfully completed operations and allow Police to consolidate on the gains;
“That serious and urgent attention should be given to the Police, in the area of training and retraining so as to equip them to curtail future insurrection or violence that may occur.”
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