Nigeria Air Force on Sunday revealed the identity of the former classmate of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the country first and only female combat Jet pilot, who drove the car that killed her last week.
Director Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, identified the drive as Nehemiah Adejoh, a civilian who he said did not possess a valid driver’s licence.
Daramola spoke at a press briefing in Kaduna, where the incident happened at the NAF base, to give a preliminary report on the investigation into the case so far.
The briefing came against the background of angst in the land following the incident, with calls coming for a thorough investigation into the 24-year-old pilot’s death.
Arotile was knocked down by a vehicle driven by Nehemiah Adejoh, who was excited to see her at the NAF Base in Kaduna. There were three occupants in the car, including the driver, he 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 recognizing 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.”
Arotile was later pronounced dead at the NAF hospital where she was rushed to.
The Air Force spokesman said the three former classmates of Arotile were detained and tested for alcohol, noting that the test was negative.
Daramola said the case would be handed over the Police.