By our reporter| The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday unveiled the identity of the killer of Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot.
NAF spokesman, Ibikunle Daramola, who gave the name of the person who drove the car that killed Arotile as Nehemiah Adejoh, said he is an ex-classmate of the deceased late fighter pilot.
The NAF spokesman said a report of the preliminary investigation carried out on the death of late Arotile have been communicated to her bereaved family.
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.”
According to Daramola, Arotile was rushed to NAF hospital in the base but was confirmed dead at 04:45pm.
He further stated that the three ex-classmates were immediately detained and subjected to alcohol test but no such substance was 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.
“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,” he added.
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