SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT... PRESS BRIEFING
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REPORT ON THE DEATH OF FLYING OFFICER TOLULOPE AROTILE

1. On 14 July 2020, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), and indeed the entire Nation, was thrown into mourning as a result of the death of one of our shining young stars in the person of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the NAF’s first female combat helicopter pilot. Her unfortunate demise has elicited an overwhelming outpouring of condolences, prayers and support to the NAF as well as the Arotile Family. This has no doubt been so, not just for Tolulope’s outstanding accomplishments at the tender age of 24, but also because of her sterling personal qualities of excellence, hard work, dedication to duty, confidence and courage, which endeared her to her superiors, subordinates and peers in the Service. Unfortunately, because of the peculiar circumstances of the incident that led to her death, a rash of falsehoods, innuendos, conspiracy theories and the likes have been propagated in the public space, especially on Social Media. The NAF sincerely hopes that the findings of the just-concluded preliminary investigation into this unfortunate and painful incident will address the misinformed issues raised in the Social Media on the tragedy.

2. Moreover, while it would have been ideal for the entire investigation to be concluded before details on the incident are released, the NAF, in sensitivity to public concerns occasioned by the spread of false information, appreciates the imperative to provide more clarity at this very difficult moment. Please note that the details being revealed today have already been communicated to the Arotile Family, who ideally should be allowed to mourn their daughter and sister in peace, but for the unfortunate nature of the sad occurrence.

3. 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:
a. The Late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, a Squadron Pilot at the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group (405 HCTG) Enugu, attached to the Air Component of Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, having recently completed her Promotion Examinations, was in Kaduna awaiting deployment for her next assignment. During this period, she stayed with her sister, Mrs Damilola Adegboye, at Sabo Area in Kaduna, visiting the NAF Base whenever necessary.
b. On 14 July 2020 at about 10.55am, Late Flying Officer Arotile received a phone call from her colleague, Flying Officer Perry Karimo, a fellow helicopter pilot from the 405 HCTG, who wanted to discuss arrangements for their return to Enugu, requesting that she comes to the Base so that they could work out the modalities. Subsequently, at about 10.58am, the Late Arotile placed a call through to Squadron Leader Diepiriye Batubo, the Group Operations Officer (GOO) of 405 HCTG, who was in Minna at the time, to clarify issues regarding her deployment. It must be highlighted that the call FROM Flying Officer Karimo as well as the one TO the Squadron Leader Batubo both took place before 11.00am, over 5 hours before the incident which led to her death.
c. Flying Officer Arotile was later conveyed from Sabo to the NAF Base Kaduna by her sister, Mrs Adegboye, where the Deceased dropped her phone for charging at a house in the Instructor Pilots’ Quarters belonging to Squadron Leader Alfa Ekele. Her elder sister later dropped her off at the Base Mammy Market at about 4.00pm, where she proceeded to photocopy and laminate some documents. It was while she was returning from the Mammy Market at about 4.30pm that 3 of her former schoolmates at the Air Force Secondary School (now Air Force Comprehensive School) Kaduna; Mr Nehemiah Adejoh, Mr Igbekele Folorunsho and Mr Festus Gbayegun, drove past her in a Kia Sorento SUV, with Registration Number AZ 478 MKA. It is noteworthy that Messrs Adejoh, Folorunsho and Gbayegun are all civilians who live outside NAF Base Kaduna, but were on their way to visit one Mrs Chioma Ugwu, wife of Squadron Leader Chukwuemeka Ugwu, who lives at Ekagbo Quarters on the Base.
d. Upon recognising their schoolmate, Arotile, after passing her, Mr Adejoh, who was driving, reversed the vehicle, ostensibly in an attempt to quickly meet up with the Deceased, who was walking in the opposite direction. In the process, the vehicle struck Flying Officer Arotile from the rear, knocking her down with significant force and causing her to hit her head on the pavement. The vehicle then ran over parts of her body as it veered off the road beyond the kerb and onto the pavement, causing her further injuries.
e. Flying Officer Arotile was subsequently rushed to the 461 NAF Hospital Kaduna for treatment, while Mr Folorunsho (one of the occupants of the vehicle) who is also an Accident & Emergency Nurse at the St Gerard Catholic Hospital Kaduna, administered First Aid.
f. Flying Officer Arotile was confirmed dead by the On-Call Doctor at the 461 NAF Hospital at about 4.45pm on 14 July 2020, as a result of the head injuries.
g. The trio of Messrs Nehemiah Adejoh, Igbekele Folorunsho and Festus Gbayegun were immediately detained at the Air Provost Wing, 453 Base Services Group Kaduna as investigations began. They were subjected to Toxicology Tests at the 461 NAF Hospital but no traces of alcohol or psychotropic substances were found in their systems. It was however discovered that the driver of the vehicle, Mr Nehemiah Adejo, did not have a valid driver’s license.
h. Traffic Officers from the Kawo Police Station and the Kaduna State Police Command as well as Road Traffic experts from the Federal Road Safety Corp were also called in to provide support during the investigation.

4. Having carefully considered the foregoing, the preliminary investigation concluded that:
a. The death of Flying Officer Arotile was caused by blunt force trauma to the head and significant bleeding resulting from being struck by the vehicle.
b. Being a civil case, the matter will be handed over to the Nigeria Police with a view to further investigating and charging the suspects to court in accordance with extant laws.

5. The Nigerian Air Force, being a highly professional and disciplined organization, will not join issues with any individuals or groups regarding the spurious allegations of ‘foul play’ espoused in some quarters. Suffice it to say that Flying Officer Arotile was a pride of the NAF in whom the Service had invested massively in terms of resources, time and energy. Consequently, it is ludicrous for anyone to even remotely insinuate malevolent intent on the part of the Service against one of its most prized assets.

6. Furthermore, it is extremely sad and disheartening that, rather than allow the Arotile Family and the Nigerian Air Force to grieve for our dearly departed Tolulope in peace, many have chosen to politicize her death, while others are using the incident to push meritless, misguided ethnic and religious agendas. The Nigerian Air Force wishes to implore everyone to respect the sensibilities of all those who have suffered most by this loss, those who really knew Tolulope - her family, her friends and her Nigerian Air Force colleagues. It is of absolute importance that the memory of this Fallen Hero and our precious child is not tainted by the propagation of misplaced sentiments and wild shenanigans. Before I end this august address, may I respectfully, on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, the entire personnel of the NAF as well as members of the Arotile Family, express my profound appreciation to all those who in one way or the other have shown concern, support and sympathy over this unfortunate incident. Thank you for your attention.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
19 July 2020

Hmmmm

The idiots would still not accept.

One above me.

Over to our conspiracy theorists,her killers aren't Muslim

Now u r talking!
If d initial infos dispensed by NAF had bn comprehensive as ds, and not d nit-bits they've bn dishing out to curious Nigerians, there won't have bn any meat for d conspiracy theorists and 5th columnists to chew.

May God give the family the fortitude to bear d loss!

If there were no cries to know how she actually died, the NAF wouldn’t have done any investigation and given this information.


Rest well dear. You will always be remembered

All I can say is the potentials in this young combatant helicopter pilot have been wasted in her prime.May her soul find rest while her family & nation be comforted. Adieu Arotile!

They might be right, but the fact is that I no longer believe any findings coming out after investigations in a case of this nature in this country.

It's all lies!.
Surely as God lives, those behind her death will never go unpunished by the Almighty God of all ages!!
The Elohim
The Rock of Ages
He that created the world without a pillar
The only supreme being
The impossibilities specialist.


RIP my beautiful Sister.

LIfe

A promising young girl like that just wasted! Nigeria!!


#Justicefortolu

Na wah all I know is that these people will never expose d truth

We're maul. Very sad.

ije uwa

...

A very comprehensive but unrealistic report!!!

Only God Knows What Happened,
Serve God With All Your Life While You Live,because Death Can Come at Anytime.









#God Is The Greatest.
#Jesus Christ Rules

Really painful. Get to know more about her and see the moment the car knocked her down below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHOiQVkS020

"It was however discovered that the driver of the vehicle, Mr Nehemiah Adejo, did not have a valid driver’s license."

a moment of silence for d unfortunate Mr. Nehemiah, pls



btw, believe this news at ur own peril.

Rip

Damnnnnn niggarrr
Isoright

Unfortunately, because of the peculiar circumstances of the incident that led to her death, a rash of falsehoods, innuendos, conspiracy theories and the likes have been propagated in the public space, especially on Social Media

this is exactly what i was saying at the other thread. propagandaists, take it once more...
To all the fools saying some people killed this young and brilliant mind. shame on you all.
On the thread the Airforce gave us the names of her 3 former school mates that this unfortunate and sad incident occured through accidentally, some fools are already saying, 'oh, na Christians names sha, na yoruba names sha, we think say na aboki and Hausa name e go be now o, cos na dem kill am. foolish souls full of bitterness and hatred, dem go just dey vex person with their bitter soul sha.
May you all witness this type of death if you are spreading falsehood, you can only escape it if you are saying the truth. anuofias. they have turned everything inside their empty brain than bitter politics and tribalism, even as Tolulope's parents are mourning. disgusting swines.
I just wonder how the friend that drove the car will be feeling since.

tesppidd:
They knew what?

Whose fault is it that the Air Force told you the cause of her death but you refused to believe simply because Fani Kayode and Reno Omokri told you one of their crack influenced political ethnic tales of hate?

dont mind those terrible fools. full of hate every minute of their miserable lives.

RIP TOLULOPE,
You will forever be missed.
May God give your parents the fortitude to be this colossal loss.
A shining star is gone!

The report is comprehensive enough anyway. But no physical investigation will ever yield a meaningful interpretation to convince humanity because the deeds are obviously from the other realm

Season of lies and bloodshed
Nigeria kills every dream
To survive in Nigeria requires aggressiveness and wisdom of a serpent

Afonjress skull hav break because of d sin of skullminers

This news keeps breaking my heart

RIP Tolulope

A girl child decided to work hard and not just useless herself, yet death won't let us use as motivation to other young girls


.

Sultty:
Na wah all I know is that these people will never expose d truth

Oga tell us the truth.I know you're disappointed since the out comes of the investigation doesn't fit into your narrative.

mmmmmmm

"Daaammn niggerrr!
issorite - Slawormir