Ø COAS scales down son’s wedding
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, General Officers Commanding (GOCs), field commanders and other participants, who attended the Chief of Army Staff Conference have gone into isolation following the death of the GOC 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Maj. Gen. Olubunmi Irefin, who died of complications arising from COVID-19.
Irefin’s death caused panic in military circles, especially amongst those that attended the conference most of whom have undergone tests to ascertain their status.
It was also gathered that Buratai has barred participants at the conference from attending the wedding of his son, Hamisu, scheduled for today.
Recall that the late GOC fell sick last Monday at the beginning of the conference and was taken to a military hospital for treatment. His health degenerated and he later died.
It was learnt that the Army chief and some senior officers who attended the conference have undergone the COVID-19 test, while others are in the process following an Army Headquarters’ directive.
According to a military source, many of the participants have taken the COVID-19 test while others are in the process and that most of the commanders were told to conclude the isolation and treatment process in Abuja before returning to base except on medical clearance.
The military High Command had at the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic designated 48 treatment and isolation centres in the six geo-political zones of the country. The COVID-19 scare forced the Army leadership to cancel the closing ceremony of the COAS conference.
In the first statement issued by the Army on Thursday, it said the cancellation followed the circumstances surrounding the health status of an officer, who tested positive for COVID-19.
However, it was gathered that most of the senior officers and some participants who attended the conference have undergone COVID-19 test and are presently awaiting their results.
In the second statement, titled: ‘Scaling down of activities for the wedding Fatiha of Buratai’s son, Hamisu Tukur Buratai’, the Army said participants at the COAS conference would not participate in the wedding.
