Nigeria’s first-ever female Combat Helicopter Pilot, 23-year old Tolulope Arotile, is dead.
She died of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Kaduna.
Eight months ago, she was winged as a combat helicopter pilot in the Air Force, following the completion of her programme at the Starlite International Training Academy, South Africa; and was decorated by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
Confirming the accident, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said 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.
Air Marshal Abubakar, on behalf of officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, has commiserated with the family of the late young, promising Flying Officer, over this irreparable loss.
Arotile lived a short but impactful life. However, FirstNigeriaTV commiserates with the family, friends and entire staff of NAF.
