Suspend Arotile’s Burial Until Conclusion Of Investigation, Adegboruwa Tells Buhari

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Lagos – A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the burial of late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile until the conclusion of investigations into the circumstances that led to her death.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had announced Saturday that the late Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, who died on July 14, will be laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on July 23.

It also said Arotile, who was 24 years until her death, was knocked down by her former schoolmate who was excited to see her at the NAF Base in Kaduna.

But Adegboruwa, a human rights lawyer in a statement on Sunday, said there is no point in rushing her burial until a proper investigation is concluded so that Nigerians can know the truth about how she died.

The statement reads: “The sudden death of Tolulope Arotile has caused a national mourning in this time of COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is tragic, painful and gruesome. The inconsistent stories emerging from the Nigerian Air Force has not helped to douse the suspicions.

“The least we expect is a proper investigation, followed with a Coroner’s Inquest, including an independent autopsy report.

“There is no point in rushing to bury her in the light emerging revelations.

“These are the questions:

Who drove the car?

Where did the accident happen?

Where was Arotile going to?

A reversing car means it had passed her, so was she trekking?

Was she blindfolded not to see the reversing car to escape?

Were her legs tied?

What kind of medical treatment did she receive?

In which hospital was she treated?

Who called her out from her rest after a successful air combat on bandits?

Why are there inconsistent statements from the Nigerian Air Force, being released in bits and pieces?

“Many more questions indeed. .I urge the President to direct a full investigation into her death, to suspend the burial plans until the conclusion of the investigations”.