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.

The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sagir Musa, according to Channels Television report 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.

He also explained the processes that led to the death of General Irefin in a statement on Sunday.

The statement reads in full: 

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 Major General J.O 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.