Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the death of a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64 and the first ever female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.
She died on Tuesday as a result of head injuries sustained from a road accident at NAF Base Kaduna.
Arotile 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 news of Arotile’s untimely death was confirmed in a statement by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Ibikunle Daramola, who described her short stay in the service as “impactful.”
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of NAF, has commiserated with the family of late Arotile over what he described as “irreparable loss.”
The statement reads: “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.”
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