Nigeria, Nov. 14 -- The House of Representatives on Thursday told the Nigerian Army it can continue with its Operation Positive Identification but said the police and the Nigeria Immigration Service should take a lead role in the exercise.

When this motion was passed Thursday afternoon, there were only 28 lawmakers seated, excluding the deputy speaker, Ahmed Wase, who led plenary on the day. The House has 360 members.

This is coming about a fortnight after the Senate asked the army to suspend the exercise, citing the "hardship" it might cause Nigerians.

The army in September had announced plans for a nationwide operation to demand identity cards from citizens across the country, an exercise that was initially implemented in the Boko Ha...