The Nigerian Air Force has revealed that it didn’t bother to carry out an autopsy on Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile because the circumstances surrounding her death were crystal clear.
This was disclosed by the Nigerian Air Force Spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, while speaking on Sunrise Daily Programme on Channels Television, on Friday. He said the family also wanted to move past the death quickly and therefore, did not demand an 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.”
According to the Nigerian Air Force, Arotile was hit by an excited ex-classmate who drove in reverse, knocking her in the process, and subsequently killing her after she hit her head on the tarmac, leading to loss of blood and trauma to the head.