…Officer Suffers ‘Respiratory Failure’
By Okosun Dennis
Army Headquarters on Sunday rules out sabotage in the death of the General Officer Commanding, GOC 6 Division, Nigerian Army Port Harcourt, Maj. Gen. Olubunmi Johnson Irefin, last Thursday in Abuja.
Explaining the circumstances that led to his death through complications on Covid-19, the Director Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sagir Musa said the senior officer died of “respiratory failure secondary to the complications of COVID 19 infection.”
He stated that there was no doubt that the sudden death of Maj. Gen. J. O. Irefin is a great loss to the Nigerian Army (NA), his family and the country at large, but people waxing different narratives was “unnecessary and wicked insinuations.”
While emphasizing that such narrative was “fake news,” adding that such news started emanating from unknown group or individuals.
Given the sequence of events that led to the death of the late senior officer, Brig. Gen. Musa noted, “Recall that the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2020, started on December 7, 2020 following the virtual declaration by President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for its commencement.
“The participants who were mostly Principal Staff Officers, General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Corps Commanders, Commandants of NA schools, Directors and other invited dignitaries assembled in Giri venue of the first phase of the conference during which Mr President virtually commissioned the NA Cyber Warfare Command Headquarters among other vital projects.
“Among the attendees was Maj. Gen. J. O. Irefin the erstwhile GOC 6 Division NA. While at Giri, the General started complaining of discomfort.”
“Despite the discomfort, he was at phase 2 in life camp for the commissioning of Housing Scheme for families of officers and soldiers killed in action from where he left the venue for his accommodation.”
“He was later taken to Defence Medical Centre same day at about 2125 hours having complained of fever, headache and mild cough.”
However, Army Spokesperson continued, “Medical history revealed that he was treated for malaria with parenteral artemether a week ago at 6 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Port Harcourt, where he was the General Officer Commanding.
“He had fever but oxygen saturation was normal at 99%. Other vital signs were essentially stable on presentation. A working diagnosis of drug resistant malaria to rule out lobar pneumonia and COVID-19 infection was made. He was also placed on ceftriaxone and COVID-19 test was requested.”
“Consequently, in the morning of December 8, 2020, the fever and cough have subsided and he was eating well. On the same day (December 8, 2020), he was discharged after his sample for COVID-19 test had been taken and was requested to self-isolate pending the outcome of the test. On December 9, 2020, the result of the COVID-19 test conducted on him was positive.
“As a result, he was taken to 063 Nigerian Airforce Hospital Abuja where his SpO saturation was noted to be well reduced to between 55 – 60%.”
“He was then immediately taken to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, Abuja by the Commander 063 NAF Hospital for further management. At the hospital, he was immediately admitted and placed on high flow oxygen.”
“An initial improvement of 80 – 82% oxygen saturation was noticed. He was then commenced on Anti-viral agent remdesivir based on the COVID-19 test result. Other treatment included the usual COVID-19 treatment cocktail.”
“Unfortunately, despite these efforts, at about 0510 hours on Thursday, December 10, 2020, the Commander 063 NAF Hospital Abuja was informed that the senior officer desaturated again and eventually died.”
“The cause of his death was reported as respiratory failure secondary to the complications of COVID-19 infection,” Brig. Gen. Sagir Musa explained.
Reiterating, that was the sequence of events that led to the demise of our late Major General JO Irefin, the former GOC 6 Diivision, Port Harcourt, added that the explanation was essential in order to ward off mischievous and wicked insinuations from certain quarters alluding unwholesome act as responsible for the death of the respected senior officer.
He used the opportunity to extend the Nigerian Army condolences and consoled the family he left behind.
May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace Amen.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/no-sabotage-in-irefins-death-army/
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