The Nigerian Army says a total of 417 personnel have so far been tested and 26 were confirmed positive for COVID-19 as at Sunday, December 13, 2020, following the death of the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army Port Harcourt, Major General John Irefin.
A statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sagir Musa said that following the confirmation that Gen Irefin’s COVID-19 test was positive on December 9, 2020, the Chief of Army Staff directed the immediate suspension of the COAS conference and all participants were moved into self-isolation in line with FGN protocols on COVID-19 pandemic.
It also said currently that all participants are in self-isolation irrespective of their results while the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recommended COVID-19 treatment drugs were immediately issued to those that tested positive and comprehensive testing of all participants also commenced immediately.
Accordingly, all officers and soldiers working at the Army Headquarters are being tested and COVID-19 protocols being strictly enforced across all units and formations of the Nigerian Army.
Meanwhile, the entire Army Headquarters complex has also been thoroughly fumigated on Saturday 12 December 2020.
Recalled that the Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference (COAS) 2020 started on December 7, 2020, with the virtual commissioning of the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command’s Headquarters at Giri by the President, Commander- in -Chief.
Among the attendees was Major General John Irefin, the late General Officer Commanding 6 Division, who was based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The same day, at about 9 pm, having complained of fever, headache and mild cough, he was taken to Defence Medical Centre, Abuja and his medical history revealed that he was treated for malaria with parenteral artemether a week ago at 6 Division Medical Services and Hospital in Port Harcourt Barracks according to the Army Headquarters.
On Wednesday 8 December 2020, his sample for COVID 19 was taken and he was directed to self-isolate pending the outcome of the test. On the same day, the result of his COVID-19 test was confirmed positive and was taken to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, Abuja for further management.
He, however, passed on at about 0510 hours on Thursday, December 10, 2020, due to respiratory failure secondary to the complications of COVID-19 infection.
Suzan O
