The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said they did not conduct an autopsy following the death of Flying Officer, Tolupe Arotile because the family was satisfied with the agency’s investigations.
Tolulope, 25, who passed away on the 14th of July, 2020 following head injuries from an accident at the NAF Base in Kaduna, was buried on Thursday at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.
During his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the Spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the family of the deceased were satisfied with investigations carried out by NAF and did not request for any autopsy.
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According to the NAF spokesperson, the cause of death for Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot was already known and the father of the late officer equally wanted a closure of the matter.
“On the issue of autopsy or otherwise that would have been initiated by the family but based on discussions with them and the fact that witnesses were there at the time she was taken to the Nigerian Air Force hospital in Kaduna, there were no doubts as to the cause of death which was head injury as a result of blunt force trauma caused by the vehicle hitting her from the rear,” he said.
“So, in consultation with her family, her father, Akintunde Arotile, said they wanted closure on this matter and that he was comfortable with the Nigerian Air Force’s investigation which of course is also being transferred to the police.”
According to him, “Autopsy was not done because it wasn’t requested, the cause of death was already known based on the investigation and how she was taken to the hospital and the confirmation was made. There were no doubts in that regard and there was no request from the family for that specifically. No autopsy was done.”