Nigeria’s first ever female combat helicopter pilot has died after sustaining injuries from a road accident.
The Nigerian Air Force announced Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile’s death on twitter on Tuesday.
The Air Force said the road accident occurred at an air force base in Kaduna state.
“During her short but impactful stay in the service, late 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,” Nigerian Air Force tweeted.
NAF LOSES FLYING OFFICER TOLULOPE AROTILE IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN KADUNA
1/4. It is with great sorrow that the @NigAirForce regretfully announces the unfortunate demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, who died on 14 July 2020, pic.twitter.com/huh0Ce5Tsl
— Nigerian Air Force (@NigAirForce) July 14, 2020
The Air Force added that “as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at NAF Base Kaduna. Until her death, Fg Offr Arotile, who was commissioned into the NAF in Sept 2017 as a member of@HQ_NDA RC 64, was the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Service.”
“During her short but impactful stay in the Service, late 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 Air Force added.
There have been many reactions to Tolulope Arotile’s death on social media as well.
Rip to her, abeg make Una Fix Kaduna road is a Mess… ?
No be to renovate road paint am with colors, all the Federal Roads in Kaduna South need renovation.. From Sabo Fish Pond to Abuja Junction na pothole. From Abuja Junction to Mando na death trap… And Government deh use am— The Professor (@dhaprof25) July 15, 2020
What type of road traffic accident within the Airforce Base would lead to this huge, tragic, (inter)national loss?
What kind of waste is this?— Oluwatoyin Ibitoye (@Toyin_Ibitoye) July 15, 2020
Oh my God Nigeria… why all these !!!! Young and brilliant girl with future and Hope just gone just unexpectedly because of a dilapidated roads…!!! So pathetic..
— mosco white (@white_mosco) July 15, 2020
