An autopsy was not carried out on Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile because the circumstances surrounding her death were clear, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said.
NAF spokesman Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s breakfast show ‘Sunrise Daily’ that the bereaved family also did not demand autopsy.
He said, “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.
“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.
“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.”
Arotile was Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot. She died on July 14 at the NAF base in Kaduna after being hit by a car driven by her former classmate with two others onboard.
The spokesman further disproved claims by lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa that the driver of the vehicle which knocked down Arotile, Nehemiah Adejoh, was 36 years old.
Daramola said Mr Adejoh is 24 years old was a junior of the deceased in the Nigerian Air Force Secondary School.
