The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has appealed to Nigerians to control their sentiments over the death of late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, but allow her family mourn and the dead rest.
NAF further said it would not join issues with any individual or group, adding that it is ludicrous for anyone to insinuate a malevolent intent on the part of the service.
The sudden death of the 24-year-old flying officer has generated controversy, with Nigerians calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her demise.
A former Aviation Minister had said, “The idea that Tolulope was killed after being knocked down in the Airforce Base by her best friends car is nonsensical.
He had urged the Chief of Air Staff to thoroughly investigate the officers’ death.
Another Nigerian, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, while mourning Tolulope had raised several questions concerning her death.
But addressing the press at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja, the Director of Public Relations and Information Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said, “The Nigerian Air Force, being a highly professional and disciplined organization, will not join issues with any individuals or groups regarding the spurious allegations of ‘foul play’ espoused in some quarters.
“Suffice it to say that Flying Officer Arotile was a pride of the NAF in whom the Service had invested massively in terms of resources, time and energy.
“Consequently, it is ludicrous for anyone to even remotely insinuate malevolent intent on the part of the Service against one of its most prized assets.”
