First and only female combat helicopter pilot in Nigeria, Tolulope Arotile dies

The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) has regretfully announced the unfortunate demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile , who died on Tuesday, 14 July 2020, as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at NAF Base Kaduna.‬

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.‬

 During her short but impactful stay in the Service, late Arotile, contributed significantly to the efforts to rid the North Central States of armed bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.

 Her death already sprang grief among Nigerian parents who described her death as an irreparable loss and had since sent in their condolence messages.