Bolaji Akinyemi Says Army’s Operation Positive Identification An Invitation To Anarchy

Nigeria’s former minister of external affairs, Bolaji Akinyemi, has bemoaned what he described as invitation to a “state of anarchy,” the alleged plans by the Nigerian Army to launch “Operation Positive Identification” which will require Nigerians to provide identification at military checkpoints across the country.

Akinyemi said it will amount to a “declaration of a state of emergency and restrictions of freedom of citizens” if the army should be allowed to embark on the alleged operation.

THE WHISTLER sighted a letter Akinyemi wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari through his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, where he described the alleged planned operation by the army as “totally unacceptable.”

While the army had denied plans to launch the said operation, describing it as fake news, Akinyemi, who served as minister from 1985 to 1987 called on President Buhari to urgently call the army to order and “address the nation on the foregoing to clear the air on what constitutes “positive” or “negative” identification and “all legal directives” by the army personnel.”

His letter to Buhari partly reads: “The need to keep you abreast of the management of information of your Government necessitated this letter.

“Sir, we are not oblivious of the fact that, for whatever reason, many things are kept out of your glare by your handlers.

“You may wish to be informed, sir, that a privately registered company by the name BRICKS, has been circulating information on behalf of the Nigerian Army, with regard to the commencement of one “Operation Positive Identification” (OPI). The said circular was marked, “Security Advisory” and dated 24/10/2019. It informed Nigeria of the planned take over of our roads and by extension our communities by LARGE NUMBER OF UNIFORMED ARMY PERSONNEL. It further stated the need of residents across the country to move about with a valid (permit me to use the coded word of the operation), “POSITIVE” means of identification. Whatever that means!

“Sir, the designer of the OPERATION, without doubt, envisaged the possibility of “NEGATIVE” identification.

“Instructively, we are also instructed to obey all “LEGAL directives” by the army personnel.

“Sir, we are not unaware of the decision of the Supreme Court to hear the Presidential Election Appeal on the 31st of October, whereas the premeditated public harassment by the army will start on the 1st of November and last throughout the period the ruling is expected.

“A police state is bad enough in a democracy, an ARMY state is totally unacceptable.

“Sir, do bear in mind also that the yet to be resolved role of “unknown soldiers” during our last election is a huge embarrassment to the global village. Therefore, a militarised electoral processes to be devised during Kogi and Bayelsa elections as a result of this planned army take over of duties fitting for the police is left to the imagination of the International community and the Nigerian public.

“Sir, given that you shall be proceeding on a private visit to the United Kingdom from Saudi Arabia as announced by Mr Femi Adesina, Special Assistant on Media, and will be there till the 17th of November 2019, meaning sir, that our President and Commander-in-Chief  of the Armed Forces won’t be around at the commencement of the military operation and will only be returning to the country just about 72 hours to the Bayelsa and Kogi Governorship elections, it is pertinent sir, that you find time to urgently address the nation on the foregoing to clear the air on what constitutes “positive” or “negative” identification and “all legal directives” by the army personnel.

“This, of course, is the only way to guide against any inevitable state of anarchy this antidemocratic plot may orchestrate or engender.

“Sir, I trust you will do the needful,” he said.