Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has lost its first female combat pilot, Tolulope Arotile to the cold hands of death.
25-years old Arotile died on Tuesday July 14, 2020 from head injuries she sustained as a result of an accident at the Nigerian Air Force base in Kaduna State.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced the heartbreaking news in a statement.
It 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 hailed 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.”
For those who don’t know, the deceased was the first female helicopter pilot in the history of the Nigerian Air Force. She died 8months after she was given a special recognition.
Interestingly, Arotile had just ended a programme at the Starlite International Training Academy in South Africa.
Tolulope Arotile was decorated alongside Kafayat Sanni, the first female fighter pilot, by Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.