Covid-19 Cripples Nigerian Army As 8 Other Generals Test Positive

The Nigerian Army confirmed, on Monday, that another 8 Army Generals have tested positive for Corona virus.

According to a statement read by The Acting Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sagir Musa, a total of 26 cases have been confirmed, which also include senior Army personnel.

The statement also revealed that 417 Army personnel were tested for the virus in line with Covid-19 protocols.

“Covid-19 protocols are being strictly enforced across all units and formations of the Nigerian Army,” the statement read.

The testing comes after the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Maj-Gen Johnson Olu Irefin, died of the virus after attending the yearly Chief of Army Staff Conference held in Abuja.

“Sadly, he (Irefin) passed on at about 5:10 am on Thursday, December 10, 2020. The cause of his death was reported as respiratory failure secondary to the complications of Covid-19 infection,” the statement confirmed.

The statement showed that the conference was immediately suspended and all the participants self-isolated.

“On the confirmation that Gen. Irefin’s Covid-19 test was positive on Dec. 9, 2020, the Chief of Army Staff directed the immediate suspension of the conference and all participants were directed to move into self-isolation in line with the Federal Government’s protocols on the Covid-19 pandemic,” the statement read.

The late Maj-Gen Irefin had complained of fever, headache and mild cough and was rushed to the Defence Medical Centre, Abuja where he was instructed to self-isolate pending the results of his Covid-19 test.

The test results turned out positive and he was transferred to the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital where he passed on.

The Army have moved swiftly to fumigate the Army Headquarters complex on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2002.

Army personnel who participated in the conference have been subjected to comprehensive testing on Dec. 13, 2020, with 417 tested so far.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have recommended Covid-19 treatment drugs to the 26 personnel who tested positive.