Army general, Irefin, dies of COVID-19

Etim Effiong

Major General Johnson Olu Irefin, General Officer Commanding 6 Division and Land Component Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Nigerian Army, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday in Abuja, died of coronavirus-related complications.

Irefin, who took over the command of the division in July 2020, was said to have tested positive for COVID-19. He replaced Maj.-Gen. Felix Agugo in the division.

A top military officer from Abuja confirmed Irefin’s death to our correspondent on condition of anonymity.

According to officer: “One of our fine officers is dead. He is the GOC, 6th Division. He died in Abuja after developing complications caused by the coronavirus.”

The Army was said to have cancelled the Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja following Irefin’s death.

Corroborating the reports, TheCable said Irefin was attending the annual Chief of Army Staff conference in Abuja before he took ill and died.

Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, in a statement on Thursday announced the cancellation of the remaining activities of the conference and urged all the participants to urgently proceed on self-isolation in agreement with the Nigerian government’s protocol for COVID-19 and to prevent further spread of the virus.

“This is to inform your excellencies, your royal highnesses, distinguished senators, honourable members, respected elders, friends, brothers, sisters and other guests that due to resurgence of COVID-19 pandemic in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in what appears to be a second wave of infection cycle and the unfortunate incident on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, where an officer participating in the ongoing Chief of Army Staff’s annual conference 2020 here in Abuja tested positive to COVID-19, it resulted in the cancellation of the remaining activities of the conference.

“All the participants have been mandated to immediately proceed on self-isolation in line with the Federal Government’s protocol for COVID-19 and to prevent any further spread of the disease,” the statement read.