NAF officer Tolulope Arotile dies at 23
The Nigerian Airforce has announced the death of its female flying officer, Tolulope Arotile whose death occurred as a result of a head injury sustained in a road traffic accident in Kaduna at a tender age of 23.
According to NAF in a statement signed by Ibikunle Daramola the Air Commodore, Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, on Tuesday, Arotile was the first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Service before her death on Tuesday 14 July 2020.
The late Arotile, who hails from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State was said to have 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
Daramola said: “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 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. We pray that the Almighty God grants her soul eternal rest”. He concluded.
Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting, Obinwannem News
