By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, regrettably commiserated with the family of late Flying Officer Arotile over the irreparable loss.
Flying Officer Arotile, the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Service was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, met untimely death on 14 July, 2020 after involving in a road traffic accident that occurred at NAF base Kaduna.
Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information in a statement issued to Enugu Reporters regretted that, 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.
Ibikunle explained that 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.
“We pray that the Almighty God grants her soul eternal rest.” he added.
