Nigerian Air Force gives reasons for not conducting autopsy on Arotile

The Nigerian Air Force has explained why autopsy was not conducted on Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, saying that the circumstances surrounding her death were clear.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Friday, July 24, the Spokesman for the NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said that the family of the deceased wanted to move on quickly and did not demand an autopsy.

READ ALSO Tears, Tributes As Tolulope Arotile Is Buried (Photos)

Daramola stated, “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.”

The spokesman said contrary to claims by lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), the person that drove the car, Nehemiah Adejoh, which knocked down Arotile was not 36 but 24 and was a junior of the deceased in the Nigerian Air Force Secondary School.

 Arotile, who was Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, died at the NAF base, Kaduna, after being hit by a car driven by her former classmate with two others onboard. She was laid to rest on Thursday, July 23.