Gbenro Adesina
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has expressed shock over the death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the first female combat helicopter pilot in Nigeria, who died yesterday, July 14 2020.
In a statement on Twitter, Air Marshal Abubakar called Arotile one of Nigerian Air Force’s shining young stars, describing her death as a huge loss to
to the NAF family and the entire Nation.
He said, “I was heart broken when I received the sad news of the death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile yesterday in Kaduna. Tolulope, who was winged in October 2019, as the first female Nigerian Air Force combat helicopter pilot, was one of our shining young stars.
“She was 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 the Nigerian Air Force family & indeed the entire Nation.
“On behalf officers, airmen, airwomen & civilian staff of the Nigeria Air Force, I once more condole with the family of late Flying Officer Arotile over this irreparable loss & sincerely pray that the Almighty God grants her soul eternal rest”.
