…declares accident civil matter
The Nigerian Air Force on Sunday revealed the identity of the killer of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Ibikunle Daramola, gave the name of Arotile’s ex-classmate, who drove the vehicle that “inadvertently” hit her while reversing to greet her, as “Mr Nehemiah Adejoh”.
NAF spokesman, who made this known at a press conference in Abuja, also said that Adejoh and two other occupants of the vehicle, Igbekele Folorunsho and Mr Festus Gbayegun, would be handed over to the police for prosecution.
Daramola added that, being a civil case, the matter would be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force.
He said the details of the late female pilot had been communicated to her family who is still mourning her.
While giving a report of a preliminary investigation carried out, the NAF spokesperson said the late Arotile met three of her former schoolmates at the Air Force Secondary School (now Air Force Comprehensive School) Kaduna on the day of the unfortunate incident.
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. 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 said Arotile was rushed to NAF hospital in the base but was confirmed dead at 04:45pm.
He said that Arotile’s three ex-classmates were immediately detained and subjected to alcohol test, which turned out to be negative.
He added, “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.”
