• Home
  • Stories
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health
      Bill Gates

      Next pandemic will be man-made, deadly – Bill Gates warns

      BMGF takes giant leap, expands Board as Econet Billionaire Masiyiwa makes the cut

      Does our foundation have too much influence? Here’s how I see it

      The doctor pronounced him dead in the car, they did not remove the corpse, they did not separate his wife fro him -Osita Chidoka

      The doctor pronounced him dead in the car, they did not remove the corpse, they did not separate his wife fro him -Osita Chidoka

      If you are a doctor planning Japa to the UK, you may end up in salve camp, says BBC report

      If you are a doctor planning Japa to the UK, you may end up in salve camp, says BBC report

      Good News: Nigerian Doctors suspend strike

      Good News: Nigerian Doctors suspend strike

      CAN, JNI meet Fed. Govt to reverse downward nutrition trend in Nigeria

      CAN, JNI meet Fed. Govt to reverse downward nutrition trend in Nigeria

      FG approves three additional orthopaedic hospitals

      FG approves three additional orthopaedic hospitals

    • Security
    • Travel
  • World
  • Africa
  • Humans of Abuja
  • Investigation
  • Development
  • Contact
Infactng
  • Home
  • Stories
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health
      Bill Gates

      Next pandemic will be man-made, deadly – Bill Gates warns

      BMGF takes giant leap, expands Board as Econet Billionaire Masiyiwa makes the cut

      Does our foundation have too much influence? Here’s how I see it

      The doctor pronounced him dead in the car, they did not remove the corpse, they did not separate his wife fro him -Osita Chidoka

      The doctor pronounced him dead in the car, they did not remove the corpse, they did not separate his wife fro him -Osita Chidoka

      If you are a doctor planning Japa to the UK, you may end up in salve camp, says BBC report

      If you are a doctor planning Japa to the UK, you may end up in salve camp, says BBC report

      Good News: Nigerian Doctors suspend strike

      Good News: Nigerian Doctors suspend strike

      CAN, JNI meet Fed. Govt to reverse downward nutrition trend in Nigeria

      CAN, JNI meet Fed. Govt to reverse downward nutrition trend in Nigeria

      FG approves three additional orthopaedic hospitals

      FG approves three additional orthopaedic hospitals

    • Security
    • Travel
  • World
  • Africa
  • Humans of Abuja
  • Investigation
  • Development
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Infactng
No Result
View All Result

A sad song at noontime

July 15, 2020

.. First female combat helicopter pilot dies

Won the battle in the air, lost on land

By Elohor Igbru

In October 2019, Tolulope  Arotile, a newly commissioned officer into the Nigerian Air Force ( NAF) stood with 12 other officers to receive yet another garland from the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar to be winged as NAF pilots.

Tolulope was one of only two females to be winged as combat pilots in the 55-year history of the Service. Tolulope appeared destined and in a hurry to make history, henceforth everything she did would be a first. 

There was so much promise in the air that day. The CAS, a distinguished helicopter pilot himself beaming with joy said:

Being winged, just 10 months ago

“I am particularly happy because out of the 13 pilots to be winged are two female regular combatant officers,” he said. 

“They are not only female officers but outstanding aviators. While one of the two pilots is the first female fighter pilot in the 55 years history of the NAF, the second one is the first female combat helicopter pilot.”

There would be no end to her career in the NAF. First female soldier to fly an attack helicopter and who knows what other garlands fate would still have to bestow on those tender shoulders. First female Chief of the Air Staff perhaps. 

Taking the battle to the bandits

The sky, which would then be her home and a major part of her life seemed just the beginning. Tolulope began work immediately. Insecurity had weighed the country down and every new help is welcomed. In about eight months, she flew several sorties in her helicopter to fight the menace of the armed bandits ravaging the northcentral state of Niger in Operation GAMA AIKI.

But on July 14, 2020, Tolulope’s dream crashed, ending with it her young and promising life. Ironically, her life ended where it all began: In a freak road accident at the NAF base in Kaduna.

A distraught CAS through the Director Of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola announced her demise:

“It is with great sorrow that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) regretfully announces the unfortunate demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, who died today, 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. 

With President Buhari

“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 armed bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.”

The CAS expressed his deep condolences to her family and the Service.

“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.

Though details of the accident is sketchy at press time, but there will be questions asked, inquiries will be made and corrections taken. 

But since the announcement, sorrow had enveloped the military community and the nation for an officer who seemed in a hurry to make history packing a lifetime of achievements into her 23 years and leaving amidst a sad song at noon.

Share129Tweet81Share32
INFACTNG

INFACTNG

Related Posts

2023 Elections: No Politics, Air Force tells Officers
Security

2023 Elections: No Politics, Air Force tells Officers

February 8, 2023

By Elohor Igbru, Abuja Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Oladayo Amao (Centre) and his principal officers When the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao met with his principal officers including Branch Chiefs,...

Terrorists run rampage in Zamfara, kidnap students, kill four officials
Security

Kaduna bandits want N10m to release Obadiah’s corpse, after receiving N3m before his death

November 13, 2022

By Ademola Adeleye In early October, Obadiah Ibrahim was returning from Abuja to Kaduna, but his journey ended earlier than schedule when he was abducted by bandits at Sabon Gaya in Kaduna. That was when the nightmare for him...

Terrorism: We are reviewing current operations, says NAF
Security

Terrorism: We are reviewing current operations, says NAF

November 11, 2022

By Elohor Igbru The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it is reviewing its current operations in the joint operations with other security agencies in the fight against insurgency in the northeastern part of the country. This is to restrategise...

Explosion throws Jalingo into panic
Security

Explosion throws Jalingo into panic

September 19, 2022

By Muhammed Gado An explosion on Sunday threw residents of Jalingo, the capital of Taraba state into panic as people scuttle for safety, thinking it may be a bomb attack by terrorists. Many of the residents of the Jalingo...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

  • The legend of Olurombi May 11, 2023
  • Osinbajo to launch Arukaino Umukoro’s book in Abuja May 10, 2023
  • Fire at Airforce Base, leaves no casualty May 10, 2023
  • FG begins pay rise for workers to cushion subsidy removal effect April 18, 2023
  • Gay: Man standing trial for romance scam April 18, 2023

Categories

  • Africa (12)
  • Agriculture (3)
  • Agriculture (12)
  • Arts & Culture (30)
  • Business (221)
  • Cover (24)
  • COVER STORY (57)
  • Development (25)
  • ENDSARS PROTESTS (39)
  • Features (12)
  • Health (79)
  • Humans of Abuja (5)
  • Investigation (8)
  • Law (15)
  • News (760)
  • Obituary (20)
  • Opinion (34)
  • Politics (171)
  • Security (182)
  • Stories (339)
  • Travel (6)
  • World (42)

Popular

  • Six years pregnancy: A Miracle too hard to believe

    Six years pregnancy: A Miracle too hard to believe

    469 shares
    Share 188 Tweet 117
  • Akindele Oluwaseun: ‘Crying Teacher’ who receive over N1m donation and gave it all out

    382 shares
    Share 153 Tweet 96
  • How first female combat Pilot was killed

    363 shares
    Share 145 Tweet 91
  • Army throws out ‘nosey’ editor from own platform

    362 shares
    Share 145 Tweet 91
  • Missing man found dead, after four suicide attempts

    359 shares
    Share 144 Tweet 90

  • Contact
  • News

© 2020 Infactng – Investigative Journalism

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Stories
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health
    • Security
    • Travel
  • World
  • Africa
  • Humans of Abuja
  • Investigation
  • Development
  • Contact