By DAVID IORJA, Abuja –
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said he received with deep pain the passing of Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, who died in a road accident on Tuesday.
He stated this in a condolence message to the family on loss of “such a promising officer, whose short stay on earth impacted greatly on the nation, especially in peace and security.”
Special Adviser to the (Media & Publicity), Femi Adesina, said in a statement that in the condolence message, the President saluted Arotile’s bravery in the field to protect the country from onslaught of bandits and terrorists, assuring that her memory would be indelible, and her efforts remembered.
President Buhari commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force, airmen, airwomen and all friends of the deceased, recalling her deft skills in manoeuvring combat helicopters, which he had physically witnessed with pride.
President Buhari, who sympathised with government and people of Kogi State on the loss, prayed that the Almighty God would receive the soul of the departed, and comfort the family she left behind.
Arotile died on July 14 as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at NAF Base Kaduna.
ir Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
“It is with great sorrow that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) regretfully announces the unfortunate demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, who died on July 14, 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, who hails from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, contributed significantly to the efforts to rid the North Central States of bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.
” The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf of officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the family of late Flying Officer Arotile over this irreparable loss.
” We pray that the Almighty God grants her soul eternal rest,” he said.
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