Contrary to claims by the military authorities that Major General Olubunmi Irefin, died of COVID-19-related complications, his kinsmen in Aiyetoro-Gbede in Kogi State said it was untrue.
They rejected the cause of their son’s death as touted by the Army, saying the circumstances surrounding his sudden death are suspicious.
They have, therefore, vowed to investigate the real cause of his death as contained in a statement signed on behalf of the Aiyetoro-Gbede Traditional Council and the Aiyetoro Development Association by Chief A.A. Aminu
Persecondnews had reported that the military authorities had on December 10, 2020, announced Irefin’s death as a result of COVID-19.
The statement by Aiyetoro, also Senator Dino Melaye’s town, said: “The sequence of events before the death of General Irefin and the main cause of his sudden death as propounded by the military authority, which they claimed was COVID-19 made the highest decision organs of Aiyetoro-Gbede community namely, Aiyetoro-Gbede Traditional Council and Aiyetoro-Gbede Development Association to interrogate the main cause of his death as propounded by the military authority.
“We should not forget that General Olubunmi Irefin was in Aiyetoro Gbede two weeks ago for the burial ceremony of his late mother.
“During the brief period of his stay at home, he was full of life, and, observers of the general will agree that every movement of his, was with military precision.
“Suddenly, a signal came to him from Abuja to attend Chief of Army Staff Conference which started last Monday (December 7, 2020).
“We did not hear of his sickness until the sad news came to us yesterday, 10th December, 2020 that the General died of Covid -19; and the sudden rush for his burial Saturday, 12th December, 2020.”
It added: “The mouthpiece of Aiyetoro-Gbede community namely, Aiyetoro-Gbede Traditional Council and Aiyetoro-Gbede Development Association were not happy with the military establishment over the reason it claimed was responsible for the death of General Olubunmi Irefin for the following reasons:
“If the incubation period of COVID-19 is two weeks after which the victim will start to show symptoms like high fever, severe headache etc, is that the case for late General Olubunmi Irefin?
“Even if the symptoms mentioned above manifest in the general, does it also kill its victim instantly?
“At an advanced age of 80 years, the former Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the late Abba Kyari, battled COVID-19 for weeks before he died.
“Common logic should tell us that General Irefin at a younger age, even if it is true that he contracted COVID -19 should be able to battle it for a longer period of time.
“Except there is C0VID-20 which we doubt, COVID-19 does not kill its victims within three days.
“Why the sudden haste in the burial of the general by the military authority?”
The community insisted:“Not until convincing answers are provided by the military authority for the above questions, the Aiyetoro-Gbede community will not be happy with the military establishment over the reason they claimed was responsible for the death of our son, General Olu Irefin.”
Leave a comment