The family of Nigeria’s first female and youngest combat pilot who died in a freak accident, Tolulope Arotile has demanded a thorough investigation into the tragic death of the 24 year old.
According to unofficial sources, the late combat pilot died after an excited friend hit her with a car while moving in reverse.
The elder sibling of the late Tolulope, Damilola Adegboye told newsmen that the family which has been in deep mourning, wondered how someone could be killed by a reversing vehicle.
“We are not convinced that Tolu can die like that in a freak accident. I know that the military is well trained in the art of investigation; we want them to carry out a thorough investigation that can convince us beyond all doubts that the incident that led to her death was the truth,” she said.
She further recalled the events that transpired the day her younger sibling was killed.
“A call came into her mobile phone; from the way she spoke, I knew that the caller must be a senior officer telling her to come to the air force base. She was reluctant and I offered to drop her off.
“One hour later, I saw it online that something serious had happened to her. I couldn’t believe that somebody I just dropped off is dead.”
The mother of the late pilot described her daughter as a special child who loved to fast and pray.
The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere also joined the family to question the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Tolulope whom many described as an asset to Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, the group said Nigeria in its usual manner has consumed one of its finest eggs.
The statement titled, ‘Afenifere wants coroner inquest into Tolulope Arotile’s death, said;
“It was only eyewitness accounts that unofficially released that it was a colleague of hers who reversed his car to knock her down on the road.
“Unofficial accounts say she just returned from a combat operation before she was knocked down to death.
“We therefore do not accept that her death was an accident until the report of a coroner says how she died and how a supposed attempt to stop and greet could come with a death impact.
We say this against what is known of the infiltration of the forces by sympathisers and agents of Boko Haram. We recall the report years back of such agents revealing the routes and timing of movements of our troops to Boko Haram who ambushed them.”