More concerns seem to be growing in the Nigerian Army
after 26 generals who had contact with Major General Olu Irefin
tested positive for COVID-19.
Late Irefin, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division,
fell ill last week while attending the 2020 Chief of Army Staff
Conference in Abuja.
He was later taken to a military hospital where he died of
respiratory failure secondary to the complications of COVID-19
infection.
General Irefin was said to have visited some of his colleagues
before the conference, and Channels Television gathered
that 26 generals tested positive.
The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General
Sagir Musa, also confirmed that a total of 417 personnel have been
tested with 26 confirmed positive cases as of Sunday, although he
did not disclose the ranks of the infected persons.
According to him, all those who attended the conference are in
self-isolation irrespective of their results.
General Musa stated that COVID-19 treatment drugs recommended by
the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) were immediately
issued to those that tested positive.
He added that all officers and soldiers working at the Army
Headquarters were being tested as COVID-19 protocols were being
strictly enforced across all units and formations of the force.
The army spokesman noted that the entire Army Headquarters
complex was thoroughly fumigated by health officials on Saturday
last week.
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He also explained the processes that led to the death of General
Irefin in a statement on Sunday.
Part of the statement read,
The Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference (COAS) 2020, started
on 7 December 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 Malor General JO Irefin, the late
General Officer Commanding 6 Division, based in Port Harcourt,
Rivers State.Same day, at about 9pm, having complained of fever, headache and
mild cough, he was taken to Defence Medical Centre, Abuja.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.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.Sadly, he passed on at about 0510 hours on Thursday 10th of
December 2020. The cause of his death was reported as respiratory
failure secondary to the complications of COVID 19 infection.
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/12/14/26-army-generals-positive-as-417-personnel-take-covid-19-test/