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The Nigerian federal authorities have insisted on a meticulous and comprehensive investigation into the untimely death of Abubakar Lawal, a talented Nigerian footballer, whose passing has sent ripples of concern across borders, unfolding in Uganda under troubling circumstances.
Lawal, a skilled athlete proudly donning the jersey of Vipers Sports Club, is said to have tragically plummeted from the third floor of the bustling Voicemall Shopping Arcade in Kampala, an incident that reportedly occurred in the quiet early hours of Monday morning, casting a shadow over the vibrant sports community.
In a measured yet poignant response, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the esteemed Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), articulated her deep apprehension about the perplexing event, her words captured in a formal statement released on Tuesday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s seasoned spokesperson, who underscored the gravity of the situation.
Dabiri-Erewa, with a tone of gravitas, emphasized that the murky details enveloping Lawal’s demise hint at something far more sinister than a mere accident, urging a closer examination of the suspicious elements that linger unsettlingly in the narrative of this young athlete’s fate.
“This is pathetic and suspicious. We demand a thorough investigation and no cover-up at all. This is so sad!
Read also: Football Frenzy In Guinea Leads To Scores Of Fatalities
“The Nigerian government will ensure and demand a thorough and transparent investigation,” she stated.
The official statement disclosed that, based on initial findings from Ugandan officials, Abubakar Lawal had visited the shopping arcade with the intention of meeting Omary Naima, a Tanzanian acquaintance, adding a layer of intrigue to the unfolding tragedy.
Naima, who had been residing in Room 416 of the Voicemall Shopping Arcade since February 20, 2025, reportedly stepped out to a nearby game centre, leaving Lawal alone in the room, where he was said to be brewing a cup of tea—an ordinary moment that preceded the shocking turn of events.
Moments later, at approximately 8:00 a.m., the narrative took a grim twist as Lawal allegedly fell from the balcony, a sudden and fatal descent that saw him swiftly transported to Entebbe Referral Hospital, where medical staff, despite their efforts, declared him deceased upon arrival.
Further details from the statement illuminated that law enforcement retrieved an array of Lawal’s personal effects—two smartphones, a pair of casual open-toed shoes, headsets, a training kit, and chargers—all neatly stowed in his black backpack, painting a poignant picture of a life interrupted.
Ugandan authorities, now steeped in the investigation, are meticulously combing through CCTV recordings and engaging in witness interviews, determined to piece together the enigmatic circumstances surrounding this devastating incident.
