The General Officer Commanding 6th Division, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Maj-Gen. Johnson Olu Irefin has reportedly died of complications associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
The sudden death of Irefin, who assumed the command of the division in July 2020 replacing Maj.-Gen. Felix Agugo, was said to have thrown the army into mourning.
The Nigerian Army had cancelled the 2020 Chief of Army Staff’s annual conference after a participant, believed to be Irefin, tested positive for COVID-19.
The army in a statement on Thursday explained that it cancelled the conference because of the second wave of the pandemic in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to inform members of the public that due to resurgence of COVID-19 Pandemic in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja in what appears to be a second wave of infection cycle,” Brigadier General Sagir Musa, acting director of army public relations said.
A senior military officer from Abuja confirmed the passing of Ma. Gen. Irefin, it describing his death as shocking.
“One of our fine officers is dead. He is the GOC 6th Division. He died in Abuja after developing complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic,” the senior officer said.
Prior to assuming the command of the 6 Division and Land Component Commander Operation Delta Safe, Port Harcourt Barracks, Irefin was the immediate-past GOC 81 Division Nigerian Army Lagos.
