By The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has unveiled the identity of the person who drove the car that crushed Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot.
At a briefing in Abuja, Sunday, Ibikunle Daramola, air force spokesman, gave the name of the person who drove the car that killed Arotile as Nehemiah Adejoh , an ex-classmate of the deceased.
He said Adejoh, a civilian, and two others were at the Nigerian Air Force base in Kaduna to visit the wife of a squadron leader.
“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,” Daramola said.
NEHEMIAH WAS AT NAF BASE TO VISIT SOMEONE ELSE
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“Having carefully considered the foregoing, the preliminary investigation concluded that: 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.” Daramola said.
Adding that the case would be transferred to the police for further investigation.
The death of Arotile had sparked a nationwide outrage, with many, including Damilola Adegboye, her immediate elder sister,demanding a probe
Yinka Odumakin, spokesman of Afenifere, pan Yoruba socio-political group, had also demanded an investigation of her death.
According to NAF, Arotile will be buried on July 23 in Abuja with full military honours.
Tributes have continued to pour in for the late pilot, who was decorated less than one year ago.
