The Nigerian Army have confirmed that 26 officers who were participants at the Chief of Army Staff Conference,(COAS) and asked to go into quarantine have tested positive for Coronavirus.
The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sagir Musa, disclosed on Sunday that a total of 417 personnel had so far been tested up till Sunday.
The tests confirmed the 26 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,” he said.
The army spokesperson also disclosed that all officers and soldiers working at the Army Headquarters were being tested while COVID-19 protocols were being strictly enforced across all units and formations of Nigerian army.
He said that the entire Army Headquarters complex was thoroughly fumigated on Saturday Dec. 12.
The Isolation and subsequent COVID19 test followed the death of one of the attendees of the COAS conference who died of COVID-19 during the conference.
Army spokesperson explained how the late general died, The Statement read in part: ” 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 Maj Gen JO 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.
The Chief of army staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai immediately cancelled the remaining session of the conference and went into self isolation while advising attendees of the conference to do same in line with federal government protocol.
He also disinvited the officers who attended the conference from attending his son’s wedding last Friday.
From all indications, Nigeria is now in the middle of a second wave of COVID-19, with rising infections, especially in Abuja, Lagos, Kwara and Kaduna.
