Arotile: We Will Release Report Of Our Investigation Sunday – NAF

The details of the preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile would be released on Sunday, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said.

Arotile, who until her death on Tuesday, was the country’s first female combat helicopter pilot, died following head injuries sustained in a road traffic accident at NAF base in Kaduna State.

The deceased, according to the force, was “inadvertently hit” by her former classmate, while reversing the vehicle when trying to greet her.

NAF said the fellow and another occupant of the vehicle had been detained and investigation was ongoing.

Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, in a statement issued on Saturday, said “The Nigerian Air Force will tomorrow, 19 July 2020, hold a Press Conference to give details on the outcome of its preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile which occurred on 14 July 2020.

“The event will take place at the Air Marshal MD Umar Blue Room at Headquarters NAF Abuja at 2pm. Accordingly, members of the press are please invited to cover the event.”

Arotile, a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, hailed from Iffe in the Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, and contributed to the efforts to rid the North-Central states of bandits and other criminal elements by flying combat missions.

The late 24-year-old was a squadron leader in Operation Gama Aiki in Minna, Niger State.

She would be buried Thursday, July 23, at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, with full military honours.