The death of Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, has sparked mixed feelings among the citizens.
The Nigerian Air Airforce (NAF) announced on Wednesday that 23-year-old Arotile died from head injuries she sustained from a road traffic accident at the NAF Base in Kaduna State.
In a personal statement he posted on Twitter, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar Sadique described the Kogi born flying officer as one of NAF’s “shining young stars” who was winged in October 2019.
Sadique described the deceased as, “a very intelligent, disciplined, confident & courageous young officer who added value wherever she served. As a squadron pilot in Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State, she flew her quota of anti-banditry combat missions to ensure a safer, more secured Nigeria.
“I recall meeting her at the Minna Airport, while on operational visit, after one of such missions & seeing her eagerness to contribute towards the restoration of lasting peace to the affected areas. Her death is a huge loss to @NigAirForce family & indeed the entire Nation.”
Some Nigerians who reacted to the sad news on Twitter called for investigation into the incident.