Reacting to the aftermath of the Chief of Army Staff Conference held last week in Abuja, the Nigerian Army has said that 417 personnel, who participated in the conference have undergone Covid-19 tests, with 26 senior officers and participants tested positive.
The army is battling to contain speculations making the rounds after the death of former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Major General Olubunmi Irefin, who died of complications arising from COVID-19 during the conference.
In a statement issued by Army Spokesman, Brigadier-General Sagir Musa, on Sunday, all officers and soldiers at the army headquarters, formations and units across the country were to be tested for COVID-19.
It read: “On the confirmation that Gen Irefin’s COVID19 test was positive on 9 December 2020, the Chief of Army Staff directed the immediate suspension of the conference and all participants were directed to move into self isolation in line with FGN protocols on COVID 19 pandemic.
“Equally, comprehensive testing of all participants commenced immediately. Consequently, as at Sunday the 13th of December 2020, a total of 417 personnel have so far been tested with 26 confirmed positive cases.
”Currently, all participants are in self isolation irrespective of their results while Nigeria Centre for Disease Control recommended COVID-19 treatment drugs were immediately issued to those that tested positive.
“Accordingly, all officers and soldiers working at the Army Headquarters are being tested and COVID-19 protocols being strictly enforced across all units and formations of the NA.”
Sagir also stated that the entire Army Headquarters complex was thoroughly fumigated on Saturday 12 December 2020.
