There are indications that the authorities of the Nigeria Airforce have already commenced full scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the car accident that led to the death of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.
Recall that the Nigerian Air Force had on July 14 announced the death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at NAF Base Kaduna.
24 years old Tolulope Arotile was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, and was the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Service. She flew
several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.
Her death at such a tender age and the circumstances surrounding her death has shocked the nation. With many calling for an independent Probe into her death.
Sources within the Nigeria Air Force, who spoke to Daybreak on condition of anonymity, the driver of the vehicle and the classmate of the late Flying Officer have been in custody since the incident “they were arrested immediately after the crash, remember that the incident happened within the premises of our base. The driver of the vehicle and the classmate were immediately arrested by the Air police” The source noted that this was standard procedure, starting that if criminal intention was establish there may be the need to expand the investigation and inviting the police. He however noted that preliminary findings shows that it was a tragic freak accident.
In a related development authorityies of the Nigerian Air Force have announced that the remains of late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, will be laid to rest with full military honours at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on 23 July 2020.
Our source also revealed that the honour been accorded the late Arotile was unprecedented ” the military cementary in Abuja is only reserved for personnel who dies in active combat, but we are waving this requirement in her honor and the parents have agreed that she should be buried there”.
