"They Killed Our Best": How Nigeria's First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot Fell—Not to Insurgents, But to a Reversing Car on Her Own Base
Public affairs analyst Dele Fanimo has sharply criticized the circumstances surrounding the death of Nigeria's first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, calling it a "needless tragedy" that betrays a nation's failure to protect its brightest defenders. In an emotional interview, Fanimo highlighted the stark contrast between Arotile's flawless service record and the questionable official account of her demise, demanding a full and transparent investigation. A Record of Excellence Cut Short Fanimo, speaking on Voice of the People TV, painted a picture of Arotile as an exceptionally skilled and fearless officer. **"The lady was hitting hard on them. Throughout her mission, she never missed her target,"** he stated, referring to her precision strikes against insurgents in Nigeria's volatile northeast. He emphasized that her effectiveness made her a key asset in the Nigerian Air Force's (NAF) counte...