Nigeria has suffered a great loss following the death of its first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile, on Tuesday. Late Arotile's death came barely a year after she was winged as a combat helicopter pilot in the Air Force following the completion of her training courses at the Starlite International Training Academy, South Africa.
Spokesperson to the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Ibikunle Daramola, who announced her death in a statement late on Tuesday, said Arotile died as a result of complications from a head injury sustained from a road accident at NAF Base in Kaduna state.
"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, the statement said.
According to the statement, 23 years old, Flying Officer Arotile, until her death was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64. She was the first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Service.
Until her death, during her short but impactful stay in the NAF, she 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," it added. late Arotile, hailed from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi state.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commiserated with the family of late Arotile over their irreparable loss.
