GOC, 6 Division Dies Of Covid-19

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Major-Gen John Olubunmi Irefin, has died of complications from Covid-19.
The GOC was attending the annual Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja before he took ill and died.
He was GOC 81 Division in Lagos before his posting to Port Harcourt, this year.
Following the death, the conference has been cancelled by the Army and participants comprising principal staff officers, GOCs, commandants of Army schools, and commanders of Army operations have been asked to go into isolation for 14 days.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa, announced the cancellation of the conference in a statement, yesterday, saying it was to prevent any further spread of the disease.
“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 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, the remaining activities of the conference have, therefore, been immediately cancelled,” he said.
“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. Thanks for your usual understanding and cooperation.”
President Muhammadu Buhari had declared the conference open, last Monday.
He hailed the Nigerian Army for its efforts in securing the nation.
The President said the military arm has remained resolute in the discharge of its constitutional roles and in keeping the welfare of soldiers a priority.
Buhari also hailed the Army’s intervention in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria.