Nigerian Army GOC 6th Division, Major General Irefin, dies of COVID -19

The General Officer Commanding, Army GOC 6th Division, Major General Johnson Olu Irefin, has died from coronavirus-related complications.

Irefim, who died in Abuja after testing positive for COVID-19, took over the command of the division in July 2020, replacing Maj.-Gen. Felix Agugo.

A senior military officer from Abuja who confirmed the development said: “One of our fine officers is dead. He is the GOC, 6th Division. He died in Abuja after developing complications caused by the coronavirus,” he stated.

The Late Irefin was among the top military officers comprising principal staff officers, GOCs, commandants of army schools, commanders of army operations and the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi that participated in the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2020, in Abuja, which was abruptly cancelled when it was discovered that one of those in attendance had contracted COVID-19.

Announcing the cancellation of the army conference in a statement yesterday, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sagir Musa said

 “The Nigerian Army wishes to inform members of the public that due to resurgence of COVID- 19 pandemic in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, in what appears to be a second wave of the infection cycle and the unfortunate incident of 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, the remaining activities of the conference have been cancelled.

“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. All inconveniences hereby regretted please,” he said.

Besides cancelling the major event, Buratai had also asked all the guests invited for the wedding of his son not to attend, indicating that the event will be low key.

Prior to assuming command of the 6 Division and Land Component Commander Operation Delta Safe, Port Harcourt Barracks, Irefin was the immediate-past GOC 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lagos.