At least 26 officers of the Nigerian army have tested positive for COVID-19.

Sagir Musa, army spokesman, broke the news in a statement on Sunday night.

He said after Olu Irefin, a major-general, died from COVID-19 complications last week, the army authorities directed that all who attended the 2020 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference, where Irefin fell sick before he was taken to the hospital, should be tested.

Musa said out of 417 personnel who have so far been tested, 26 cases turned out positive.

“On the confirmation that Gen Irefin’s COVID19 test was positive on 9 December 2020, the Chief of Army Staff directed the immediate suspension of the conference and all participants were directed to move into self isolation in line with FGN protocols on COVID 19 pandemic,” the statement read.

“Equally, comprehensive testing of all participants commenced immediately. Consequently, as at Sunday the 13th of December 2020, a total of 417 personnel have so far been tested with 26 confirmed positive cases.

“Currently, all participants are in self isolation irrespective of their results while Nigeria Centre for Disease Control recommended COVID-19 treatment drugs were immediately issued to those that tested positive.” Cable