Late Flying Officer, Tolulope Sarah Arotile, Nigeria's first female combat helicopter pilot, has been finally laid to rest with full military honours, amidst tributes from many illustrious Nigerians, at the military cemetery, along Airport Road Abuja. The national heroine was accorded full military honours in a solemn occasion attended by military top brass, in Abuja led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin. The young military Star's body was lowered into the grave at exactly 11:05 am followed by a barrage of 21-gun salute.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said even at the moment the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is still in shock utter grief at the great loss it suffered following her very untimely death because she did live long enough to fulfil her dreams.
Air Marshal Abubakar said, the air force had so much confidence in Article but their expectations have been cut short. Describing her as a young and confident officer, he said Arotile braved so many odds to get to where she was before her demise. He added that her short stay was highly impactful because she carried out her duties and tasks both on the ground and in the air with a high sense of professionalism, commitment, and confidence.
The Air Force chief added that she contributed immensely to the decimation of national subversive elements across all theatres of operation most especially in the North-west and North-central axis. She will be missed dearly.
Many Nigerians have poured out their tributes both at the venue and across the mass media.
Former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, while saying goodbye to the great heroine wrote on his Twitter page "My heart goes out to the family and colleagues of late flying officer, Tolulope Arotile. She was a brave patriot who pushed herself beyond limits to demonstrate her uncommon love for our dear nation."
Senator Shehu Sani, also wrote on his Twitter page "As the late Heroine Tolulope Arotile is buried today, we appreciate her short but accomplished and patriotic life of service to her country. I call the states and the FG to immortalize her by naming streets or public buildings after her. May her soul Rest in Peace. Ameen."
Flying Officer Arotile, born in 1995 died July, 14, following complication from a head injury she got from a road traffic accident at the NAF base in Kaduna state.
According to NAF she was "inadvertently hit by the reversing vehicle of an excited former Air Force secondary school classmate while trying to greet her."