Suspicious Circumstances Surrounding Nigerian Player Abubakar Lawal’s Death in Uganda

NiDCOM has announced plans to investigate the suspicious death of Abubakar Lawal, a Nigerian football player in Uganda. Lawal passed away after reportedly falling from a mall balcony, contradicting initial reports of a motorcycle accident. Calls for thorough inquiries have been made by both NiDCOM and prominent football figures, emphasizing the need for transparency in this tragic case.

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has expressed concern regarding the death of Abubakar Lawal, a former Nigerian junior international and player for Vipers SC in Uganda. Described as suspicious, NiDCOM is requesting an exhaustive investigation into this tragic event. Reports indicate that Lawal passed away under questionable circumstances after being initially thought to have died in a motorcycle accident.

Lawal’s demise was confirmed both by his football club and the Ugandan Police on Monday, with conflicting reports emerging thereafter. Initially, it was reported that he had succumbed to injuries from a motorcycle accident. However, the police later indicated that Lawal fell from a balcony at a shopping mall in Kampala.

According to police findings, Lawal drove to the shopping mall, meeting Tanzanian national Omary Naima, who had been staying in a nearby hotel room. Naima asserted that she left Lawal to prepare tea, and upon returning, found he had reportedly fallen from the balcony, leading to his immediate transfer to Entebbe Referral Hospital, where he was declared dead.

In light of the conflicting narratives and calls for clarity, including from Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa, NiDCOM is actively pursuing further investigation. “The contradicting reports suggest something suspicious about his demise,” stated Dabiri-Erewa, emphasizing the need for cooperation between Nigerian authorities and their Ugandan counterparts.

The Nigerian Embassy in Uganda quickly responded to the situation, with Ambassador Shama Shanga in close contact with the relevant authorities to ensure a thorough inquiry is conducted. Dabiri-Erewa commented on the situation saying, “This is pathetic and appears suspicious. We demand a thorough investigation. No cover-up at all. This is so sad.”

Lawal, aged 29, transitioned from Wikki Tourists to Nasarawa United in 2019 and further to As Kigali in 2020. After two years in Rwanda, he joined Vipers SC in Uganda, where his career was tragically cut short by his untimely death.

In conclusion, the death of Abubakar Lawal raises numerous questions, prompting NiDCOM and various stakeholders to call for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The involvement of the Nigerian Embassy suggests a coordinated effort to ensure justice is served. Lawal’s sudden passing represents a loss to the Nigerian football community and highlights the need for clarity in this perplexing situation.

Original Source: punchng.com