Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai was forced hours ago to order the discontinuation of the 2020 edition of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference as one General slumped and died while another yet-to-be-identified officer tested positive to COVID-19.  

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army (NA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Major General Joseph Olubunmi Irefin slumped at the conference and was confirmed dead by Army doctors on site at the event.

Another officer, whose details were yet to be made public reportedly tested positive to COVID-19.

This development forced the Army authorities to advise Buratai to suspend the conference immediately.  

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sagir Musa, confirmed this development in a statement made available to journalists today.

He further disclosed that all participants have been directed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, to proceed on a 14-day mandatory self-isolation in order to avoid infecting other people and prevent any further spread of the disease.

Recall that Maj. Gen. Joseph Olubunmi Irefin was the coordinating officer under whose watch the clearance operation against suspected members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra who allegedly attacked and destroyed police facilities in Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State took place.

Sources have hinted Kristina Reports that under his tour of duty in Rivers State the Nigerian Army has recorded huge successes against criminal elements thus assuring stability in the state.