Nigeria’s 1st Female Fighter Helicopter Pilot, Tolulope Arotile Dies In Road Accident

Celebrated Nigerian Air Force’s first female combat helicopter pilot, 23 year old Tolulope Arotile has died in a road accident at NAF Base Kaduna.

The Nigerian Air Force said she died on Tuesday as a result of head injuries sustained from the accident in a road traffic accident in the northwestern state of Kaduna, according to the Nigeria Air Force (NAF).

Arotile who was in her 20s, contributed to the efforts to rid the Nigerian north-central region of armed groups by flying several combat missions, the official statement read.

The NAF described her demise as “unfortunate”.

As the first woman to fly a fighter helicopter in Nigeria, Arotile became a popular figure in the country after she was recognized by the NAF for her passion in doing what has been stereotyped to be a man’s job.

NAF LOSES FLYING OFFICER TOLULOPE AROTILE IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN KADUNA

1/4. It is with great sorrow that the @NigAirForce regretfully announces the unfortunate demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, who died on 14 July 2020, pic.twitter.com/huh0Ce5Tsl

— Nigerian Air Force (@NigAirForce) July 14, 2020

Arotile hails from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

She was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64 and later became first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the service in Nigeria.‬