Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot dies in road accident
Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday announced the death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile who passed on after an auto crash at NAF Base Kaduna.
Commissioned in 2017, as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, Officer Tolulope Arotile until her death was the first Nigeria’s female combat helicopter pilot in the Service.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, Arotile’s death is not unconnected with the head injuries she sustained as a result of the accident.
“It is with great sorrow that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) regretfully announces the unfortunate demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, who died today, 14 July 2020, as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at NAF Base Kaduna.‬
“Until her death, ‪Flying Officer Arotile, who was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, was the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Service.‬
“During her short but impactful stay in the Service, late Arotile, who hails from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, contributed significantly to the efforts to rid the North Central States of armed bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State”, the statement read.
The Service further says the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the family of late ‪Flying Officer Arotile over this irreparable loss, praying for Almighty God to grant her soul eternal rest.
Culled from ABN TV
