Number of COVID-19 positive Army Generals rise to 26

At least, 26 Nigerian Army Generals have tested positive to COVID-19 after 417 army personnels were tested following the death of Major-General Olu Irefin. 

The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sagir Musa confirmed this on Sunday. 

He however did not disclose the ranks of the infected persons. 

He also stated that COVID-19 treatment drugs recommended by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) were immediately issued to those that tested positive.

The 26 generals and other tested personnel were in contact with the late Irefin at the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2020 which was held last week in Abuja. 

The event 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, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sagir Musa had 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.

He also disclosed that all the officers who attended the conference are in self-isolation irrespective of their results. 

The army spokesman said that the entire Army Headquarters complex was thoroughly fumigated by health officials on Saturday last week.