The Nigerian Army on Monday said 26 Generals and other senior officers have so far tested positive for COVID-19.
It also disclosed that 417 officers had undergone testing for coronavirus after the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Maj. Gen. John Irefin, died from COVID-19 complications during the annual Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja last Thursday.
The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sagir Musa, disclosed in a statement that all the 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 the NA.
However, there are fears that the aides to the infected generals, including drivers, orderlies, cooks and other close acquaintances, may have contracted the coronavirus.
A senior military officer said the secondary victims might also have passed the virus to other family members, colleagues and friends.
When asked if the Federal Capital Territory Administration Health Secretariat had commenced contact-tracing, the Chairman, FCT COVID-19 Protocols Enforcement Task Team, Attah Ikharo, said the army was handling the matter.
He said anyone who had contact with the infected military officers “should also take the matter in their hands,” adding that “people must own the process.”
