Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta says the death of Maj.-Gen. Olubunmi Irefin, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Battalion, Port Harcourt, is a great loss to the Nigerian Army.
Okowa commiserated with the military in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika in Asaba on Friday.
He also condoled with the deceased’s immediate family and the government and people of Kogi over the sad incident.
The governor said that the GOC died on Thursday morning in Abuja after complications from COVID-19.
He said that the news of Irefin’s death was devastating, especially as the nation was in dire need of the services of experienced top military personnel to solve its security challenges.
Okowa said that the late Army general paid his dues in the service to Nigeria and lived a life of great exploits, saying that the legacies of the departed army general would remain immortal.
“The news of the passing of Gen. Irefin came to me as a shock and I am yet to come to terms that such a gallant officer and leader has passed on at his prime.
“We shared experiences even as we planned how best to ensure adequate security for our state and region when he visited me in September on his posting as GOC, 6 Division, Port-Harcourt, Rivers.
“Gen. Irefin had a brilliant military career and served the nation with all his heart with full dedication and commitment to duty.
“On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Delta, I send my deepest condolences to the Irefin family, the Kogi government and the Ayetoro Gbede people where he hailed from,” the governor said.
He prayed Almighty God to grant the deceased eternal rest. (NAN).