We Lost A Rare Gem -Nigerians Mourn Tolulope Arotile, First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot

Many Nigerians have poured out their emotions and grief over the death of the first female combat helicopter pilot in the history of the Nigerian Air Force, Tolulope Arotile, who died on Tuesday.

Arotile died as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at NAF Base in Kaduna State.

Read Also: Nigeria’s First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot, Tolu Arotile Dies At 24

Her death comes less than a year after she was decorated as the first female combat helicopter pilot.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Twitter, wrote;

The news of the demise of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, which I woke up to read this morning is very sad and unfortunate.

The news of the demise of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, which I woke up to read this morning is very sad and unfortunate. pic.twitter.com/BEeQvbhRK0

— Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (@DrAhmadLawan) July 15, 2020

Former senator, Shehu Sani, tweeted;

It’s sad to learn that few minutes after I passed the NAF Airforce Base Kaduna, a tragic accident happened which took away the life of one of Nigeria’s finest and first female combat Helicopter Pilot, Tolulope Arotile. A great loss to our country. May her soul Rest In Peace.

Tolulope Arotile was a shining star who broke barriers & defied conventions.She raced through an uncharted & dreaded path & braced d tape in victory.She refused to be hindered by neither d ceiling nor d sky.She was a woman who conquered d impossible & the https://t.co/PSAWAFbtwE

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) July 15, 2020

Bukola Saraki also wrote;

I woke up to read the very sad news of the unfortunate passing away of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile – Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot.

I woke up to read the very sad news of the unfortunate passing away of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile – Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot.

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) July 15, 2020

See other reactions from Nigerians on

I received with great shock the death of our country’s first female combat pilot, Tolulope Arotile, I saw her months ago display her talent to the admiration of many of us at a @NigAirForce event. Indeed we have lost a great talent! My condolences to the Arotile family and N.A.F pic.twitter.com/GGWYPXib7o

— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) July 15, 2020

May God grant Tolulope Arotile rest! May He grant all her loved ones fortitude to bear this great loss. We just lost a rare gem 🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/iAnC8BFdyk

— B h a d o o s k y (@BhadmusAkeem) July 15, 2020

RIP, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.
Continue to fly among the stars, you lived a purposeful life, you achieved your dreams, you laid the path for other air combat women, your name is written in history. Air warrior!!!
Mehn..I am close to tears 😢😢😢😢 pic.twitter.com/0TmeFj7QJu

— Dr. Guendouzi (The Cerebral Assassin) (@fimiletoks) July 15, 2020

BREAKING: The first Nigeria Air Force female Helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile is dead.

She died in a road accident at NAF base Kaduna after sustaining head injuries.

She was instrumental in the fight against banditry and insurgency.

She was only 23 years old pic.twitter.com/3e7Sf4ZjqC

— the Morris Monye factor (@Morris_Monye) July 15, 2020

She deserves to be honoured truly. 💪🏽

— Moji Sensei Delano (@MojiDelanoBlog) July 15, 2020

Thank you for your service & sacrifice. Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.

You will be remembered for your sortes to bring peace and for breaking the glass ceiling for more female combat helicopter pilots. pic.twitter.com/txxP7IpV9V

— Murtala (@Murtalaibin) July 14, 2020

She conquered the air ways and was crowned Queen. But she was taken away from us on the land… What a sad day for Nigeria!

RIP!!

— Gambit King (@IamValhustle) July 15, 2020

This is unfortunate and unbelievable. I can’t really understand what really went wrong, going by the news report that the accident happened at the NAF BASE Kaduna, it’s shocking…!!

— Oludare Jesutin LOKO (@mrdrey_official) July 15, 2020

We have just lost one of our best, the death of flying officer Tolulope Arotile is a big hit on the entire Nation. May her soul rest in peace 🙏 pic.twitter.com/qmwQKTu9tq

— Olúyẹmí Fásípè 🇳🇬 (@YemieFASH) July 15, 2020

Thank You for Your Service F.O Tolulope Arotile. You made History and wasnt supposed to go Like this. This is a big loss to the Nigerian AirForce. R.I.P to Nigeria’s First Female Combat Helicopter pilot and Slayer of Bandits and Terrorists. pic.twitter.com/hKH1gr395H

— ⚡ Anyi Nine AKA Nnewi Anny Robert (@ChidiZeus) July 15, 2020

The lovely baby of the Nigerian Airforce and it’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile, has died in a road accident. This is ironically sad,after flying combat missions against bandits, she died in a road accident within the barracks! May her lovely soul RIP😥 pic.twitter.com/sZh7hAaUP0

— Olusoga Owoeye (@olusogaowoeye) July 15, 2020

Very sad and touching. May Almighty God forgive her sins and may she gain heaven.

— Opeyemi Bodunde (@opeyemi_bodunde) July 15, 2020

Oh my God Nigeria… why all these !!!! Young and brilliant girl with future and Hope just gone just unexpectedly because of a dilapidated roads…!!! So pathetic..

— mosco white (@white_mosco) July 15, 2020

Quite A Loss💔 Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her! Oh LORD! And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her🙏

— Ephesians 2:14 (@_OneNewMan) July 15, 2020

What a painful to one of our professional pilot , May God give @CAS_AMSadique and the great @NigAirForce family and her family the pride Nigerian to bear the great resourceful Nation loss.Adieu Nigerian air Force will always proud of u ! May God protect our Nigerian arm forces !! pic.twitter.com/ee0nu32KbP

— zubair Adam ( Daddy ) (@ZubairuAdam2) July 15, 2020