The Nigerian Air Force has given a preliminary report of the investigation into the death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Ibikunle Daramola, in a press briefing on Sunday disclosed that the name of the person who drove the car that killed Arotile is “Nehemiah Adejoh”.
He noted that Adejoh is an ex-classmate of the deceased.
Daramola said: “Mr Nehemiah Adejoh, Mr Igbekele Folorunsho and Mr Festus Gbayegun, drove past her in a Kia Sorento SUV, with Registration Number AZ 478 MKA,”. Daramola said while giving a report on the preliminary investigation.
“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.”
The NAF spokesman noted that Arotile was rushed to the force’s hospital in the base but was confirmed dead at 04:45pm.
He also added that the three ex-classmates were immediately detained and subjected to alcohol test but no such substance was found in their systems.
Daramola said: “It was however discovered that the driver of the vehicle, Mr Nehemiah Adejo, did not have a valid driver’s license.
“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.”
Tolulope Arotile age 24 was Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot.
