Naval Lieutenant Commander Dies From Coronavirus In Lagos

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A Naval Lieutenant commander died from coronavirus complications at the weekend, causing panic among officers and men of the Navy, The Nation reports.

Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of Western Naval Command Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, who confirmed the officer’s death, explained that he failed to survive because of his underlying ailment.

Rear Admiral Daji said: “He was on treatment but unfortunately, had complications on Saturday night and before we could rush him to the hospital, he gave up.

“All those that had contact with him have been traced. He lived alone. He was unmarried. Four people had contacts with him. They are someone who visited when he heard that the officer was in isolation; his driver, orderly and steward.

“Their samples have all been taken and they have been isolated, we are expecting that their results will come out but there’s no cause for alarm at all.”

The FOC said there are other eight positive cases of Naval officers/men in the command, adding that over 1,300 tests had been conducted.

General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Olu Irefin, said the division only recorded a confirmed case of a female soldier who has been receiving treatment.

He said precautions were immediately taken to prevent virus spread because personnel of the division were part of the larger society.

“It is not true that many of my personnel have COVID-19. But we know we are part of the larger society. We only have one case and it is a female soldier on course.

“She is receiving treatment. We have our COVID-19 response team formed by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and our isolation centre in Yaba. We have all the testing equipment and kits. We have been carrying out testing of our personnel when there is suspicion,” he said.

Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosu said only two of his men were confirmed for COVID-19. He said they had been treated and discharged.

“You should know that there are many police formations in Lagos. When they say police in Lagos, it does not necessarily mean Lagos State Command. We have CP Railway, Command, Maritime, CP Airport, CP SFU, CP Anti-Fraud, among others and they have personnel too.

“But if you are referring to my command, I can tell you that only two persons had the virus and they have been treated and discharged.”