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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has ramped up efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of former Nigeria U20 player, Abubakar Lawal, in Uganda on Monday.
Lawal’s passing has been shrouded in conflicting reports. Initial accounts claimed he died in a motorbike accident, while later reports suggested a car crash. However, Ugandan police later stated that the 28-year-old died after falling from the third floor of a hotel at the Voicemail Shopping Mall in Bwebajja. He was reportedly visiting a friend, Tanzanian national Naima Omary, who had been staying at the hotel for a month. Omary has since been taken into police custody as investigations continue.
Speaking on Friday, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, reaffirmed the federation’s determination to find clarity on the tragic incident.
“We are not relenting in the search for truth. The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed its commitment to uncovering what really happened, and we have reached out to our counterparts in the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) to assist in the investigation,” Sanusi stated.
He acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding Lawal’s death remain unclear but assured that the NFF would continue its efforts to support the Nigerian government in finding the truth.
In the wake of the incident, Sanusi placed an urgent call to FUFA General Secretary, Edgar Watson Suubi, seeking assistance in unraveling the mystery. Suubi responded that he had also received conflicting reports and had assigned a representative to gather details from the police, medical authorities, or any relevant body capable of providing a credible account of the incident.
Suubi responded saying, “It is a sad situation. I also have received divergent reports on the incident, but I have delegated somebody to go and find out what happened, and then we’ll be able to send you a copy of the report from either the Police, the Medical or any authority that’s in the position to give us a satisfactory answer.”
Following the conversation, the NFF formalised its request through an official letter, highlighting the widespread concern in Nigeria over the uncertainty surrounding Lawal’s death. The federation also sought clarification on arrangements for the repatriation of the player’s remains to his family in Nigeria.
Lawal was part of Nigeria’s squad at the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand a decade ago. He had since built a solid career in Ugandan football, playing for Vipers FC, a top-tier club in the country, before his untimely demise.
His passing has left the football community in mourning, with calls for a thorough investigation to ensure his family receives the answers they deserve. The NFF remains resolute in its pursuit of the truth, working closely with relevant authorities to bring clarity to this unfortunate loss.
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