The Minority Leader of the House of Representation, Ndudi Elumelu, has said that the nationwide execution of Operation Positive Identification (OPI) by the Nigeria Army could lead to the militarization of the country.
Elumelu said that the plan would result in the infringement of the fundamental rights of Nigerians, emphasizing that if not checked it would reduce citizens to suspects and conquered people in their own country.
The lawmaker also stated that OPI would create fear, panic, and anxiety as such military operations involved direct contact and regulating of civilians which could result in abuses and serious safety issues.
Elumelu advised the Army to focus on its constitutional role of defending the country and leave issues relating to internal security to the police and other relevant agencies.
The Army and all security forces should rather develop more pro-people strategies in combating our security challenges instead of a measure that could further victimize the people.Ndudi Elumelu – vanguardngr.com
The Minority Leader said President Muhammadu Buhari should review OPI, which is slated to begin on the 1st of November, 2019, so that further consultations would be made.
