Buhari, Reps, others pay tributes
The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has said that its first female fighter helicopter pilot it has had in 55 years, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile was hit by reversing vehicle of a former classmate.
Arotile, 24, died on Tuesday, July 14, at the NAF Base in Kaduna less than a year after she was decorated as the first female combatant helicopter pilot.
It was gathered that in the evening of that day, the deceased went to the Mami Market to print some documents and while on her way back, an excited civilian classmate of Air Force Secondary School, while reversing a vehicle to exchange greetings with her accidentally knocked her down.
She died from severe head injury with massive hemorrhage.
The spokesman for NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, confirmed the development in a press statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
“Flying Officer Arotile died on July 14, 2020 at the age of 24, when she was inadvertently hit by the reversing vehicle of an excited former classmate at the Air Force Secondary School while trying to greet her.
“Before her untimely death, Flying Officer Arotile made significant and outstanding contributions to the war against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country, flying several combat missions.”
It was learnt that the unnamed ex-classmate bas being detained following the death of the combat helicopter pilot.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari in a condolence message said he received the news of the untimely death of the NAF’s first female combat helicopter pilot with deep pain.
The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, lamented the loss of the promising officer, whose short stay on earth, he said, impacted greatly on the nation, especially in the area of peace and security.
He saluted Arotile’s bravery while in the field to protect the country from the onslaught of bandits and terrorists and assured that her memory would be indelible, and her efforts ever remembered.
Buhari also commiserated with the family of the deceased FO, the NAF, airmen, airwomen and all friends of the deceased.
He recalled Arotile’s deft skills in manoeuvring combat helicopters, which he said he had physically witnessed with pride.
“The president sympathises with government and people of Kogi State on the loss. President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will receive the soul of the departed, and comfort the family she left behind,” the statement added
In his condolence message, the chairman of the house committee on air force, Mr. Shehu Koko said the deceased was a heroine whose contribution in the war against terrorism and other criminal elements in the country cannot be wished away easily.
“It is with great sadness that I learned today of flying Officer Tolulope Arotile’s passing. Arotile overcame incredible obstacles to devote her life to service—service to the nation, to the Nigeria Airforce, the women, and indeed all the people of Nigeria.
“Arotile was a warm and devoted young woman and I send my condolences to her family. She worked tirelessly as a fighter pilot. She forged new ground for women in Nigeria helping to reinforce the saying that whatever men can do, women even do better. And, she found her true passion as a pilot, indeed as the first female fighter pilot in the country. She will be sorely missed even though she left her footprints in the sands of time,” he said in a statement.
Some Nigerians have taken to social media to pay respects to the female ‘slayer of bandits and terrorists’.
Tolulope Arotile was a shining star who broke barriers & defied conventions. She raced through an uncharted & dreaded path & braced d tape in victory. She refused to be hindered by neither d ceiling nor d sky. She was a woman who conquered d impossible & the http://unimaginable. RIP
Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) July 15, 2020
Rest in Peace Tolulope Arotile. This life is too short. This is a big loss to the Nigerian AirForce. Tolulope is Nigeria’s First Female Combat Helicopter pilot and Slayer of Bandits and Terrorists.
Dr PamPam | Omo Iya Ologi (@UnclePamilerin) July 15, 2020
The lovely baby of the Nigerian Airforce and it’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile, has died in a road accident. This is ironically sad, after flying combat missions against bandits, she died in a road accident within the barracks! May her lovely soul RIP😥
Olusoga Owoeye (@olusogaowoeye) July 15, 2020
RIP, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile. Continue to fly among the stars, you lived a purposeful life, you achieved your dreams, you laid the path for other air combat women, your name is written in history. Air warrior!!! Mehn..I am close to tears.
Dr. Guendouzi (The Cerebral Assassin) (@fimiletoks) July 15, 2020
Nigeria’s first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the history of Nigerian AirForce has died. Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, died yesterday from head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident in Kaduna. She was only 25 years old. This is just terribly heartbreaking.
#OurFavOnlineDoc (@DrOlufunmilayo) July 15, 2020
Nigeria’s first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the history of Nigerian AirForce has died. Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, died yesterday from head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident in Kaduna. She was only 25 years old.
Madridista—AbdlWahab ★ 🇳🇬 (@TheMrnass) July 15, 2020
This is such a blow. Rest in peace Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile. May her family find strength to bear this. A bright light snuffed out too soon.
Brenda Mngu Uji (@brendauji) July 14, 2020
Thank You for Your Service F.O Tolulope Arotile. You made History and wasnt supposed to go Like this. This is a big loss to the Nigerian AirForce. R.I.P to Nigeria’s First Female Combat Helicopter pilot and Slayer of Bandits and Terrorists.
⚡ Anyi Nine AKA Nnewi Anny Robert (@ChidiZeus) July 15, 2020
Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile was a national treasure. A colossus in her own right… Her sudden demise is a national tragedy to Nigeria and a colossal loss to her loved ones. Kogi has lost another rare gem of value. Rest on, Combatant. Till we meet again 😢 “rip tolulope”.
Zayd Ibn Isah (@IsahZayd) July 15, 2020
