The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has unveiled the identity of the person who drove the car that crushed Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat he
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has unveiled the identity of the person who drove the car that crushed Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot. And he doesn’t have a valid drivers’ license.
Arotile died in a freak accident in Kaduna on Wednesday. The 24-year-old pilot had participated in major operations, especially against bandits, during her time in service.
At a briefing in Abuja on Sunday, Ibikunle Daramola, air force spokesman, gave the name of the person who drove the car that killed Arotile as Nehemiah Adejoh, an ex-classmate of the deceased. He said Adejoh, a civilian, and two others were at the Nigerian Air Force base in Kaduna to visit the wife of a squadron leader.
“In line with the normal procedure in the Nigerian Air Force during such occurrences, an investigation was immediately instituted to formally determine the circumstances of the incident. Accordingly, the preliminary investigation has revealed the following details,” Daramola said.
A source said the driver, accompanied by his friends, visited his relatives at the NAF base and decided to drop off the late pilot whom he spotted on the road inside the base. Arotile was knocked down in the process of reversing the car, the source said.
The source added that the driver and other occupants of the car have been taken into custody by NAF.
Damilola Adegboye, Arotile’s immediate elder sister s well as Gani Adams had demanded a probe into her death.
According to NAF, Arotile will be buried on July 23 in Abuja with full military honours.
