•True circumstance of Nigerian footballer’s death in Uganda must be unearthed
The death, early this week, of Nigerian footballer Abubakar Lawal, a striker for Ugandan premier league side, Vipers Sports Club, reeked of possible foul play that needs unravelling. Lawal allegedly fell from the third floor of a shopping mall apartment in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, and was pronounced dead in hospital.
Ugandan police said the 29-year-old former Nigeria Under-20 international was found critically injured outside the Voicemall Shopping Arcade in Bwebajja early Monday morning after he allegedly fell from the third floor balcony of a friend’s apartment. Lawal’s friend, a Tanzanian national residing in one of the mall’s residential apartments, reportedly told the police she had left him alone in the apartment preparing tea while she stepped out to a game centre within the mall. But shortly after, at approximately 8:00a.m., he was found on the ground below.
“Preliminary reports indicate that Lawal arrived at the shopping mall in his vehicle, registration number UBQ 695G, to meet his friend, Omary Naima, a Tanzanian national residing in room 416 since February 20, 2025,” the police said in their statement. “According to Naima, she left Lawal in the room and later learned he had fallen from the balcony,” they added. He was reportedly rushed to Entebbe Referral Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Law enforcement authorities in Uganda have gone retrieving CCTV footage from the shopping mall and conducting interrogations to piece together the moments leading to Lawal’s death. The police also recovered his belongings, including two smartphones, a pair of open shoes, headsets, a training kit and chargers from his black backpack. “Kajjansi Police Division is investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Nigerian national Abubakar Lawal, a professional footballer at Vipers Sports Club, who allegedly fell from the third floor of Voicemall Shopping Arcade on the morning of February 24, 2025,” Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire was reported saying. “As part of the investigation, authorities are retrieving CCTV footage and conducting thorough interrogations to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident,” he further said, adding that updates would be provided as investigations continue.
There were conflicting reports about how Lawal died, deepening the concern about the suspicious nature of his death. Initial reports said he had died in a motorcycle accident along Entebbe Road. But police findings later pointed to a possible fall from the shopping mall balcony. His club, Vipers SC, refuted the motorcycle accident account, stating that the police had confirmed he fell from Room 416 of Voicemall. In a statement released on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the club acknowledged growing concerns surrounding Lawal’s death and did not foreclose foul play. “The police report confirms that on Monday morning, Lawal Abubakar fell from the third floor (Room 416) of Voicemall, Bwebajja, and not from a motorcycle accident as earlier reported. He was rushed to Entebbe Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival,” the club said.
The Nigerian government, through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) is seeking thorough investigation of Lawal’s death. NiDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the Nigerian embassy in Uganda had demanded full autopsy and thorough probe of the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident. In a statement by spokesman Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the agency described Lawal’s death as “pathetic and…suspicious.” It added: “We demand a thorough investigation. No cover up at all… The Nigerian government will ensure and demand a thorough and transparent investigation.”
We think it is important that government follows through on this demand and not relent until the facts concerning this young man’s death are fully unearthed. Ugandan authorities said they were on their own pursuing a probe, but they may need some diplomatic pressure to stay that course and not abandon the case as just another mishap. The whole talk about his being left alone in an apartment and later falling off the balcony sucks, and it should be interrogated for motives beyond the seeming.
In his career, Lawal was a good ambassador of his native country. He joined Vipers SC in July 2022 after spending two seasons with AS Kigali in Rwanda. President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) Moses Magogo, in his tribute, said: “Lawal’s immense contribution to Ugandan football will never be forgotten, particularly his pivotal role in Vipers SC’s historic league and Uganda Cup domestic double triumph in the 2022/23 season.” Upon his joining Vipers SC, he made history by scoring the club’s first-ever group stage goal in the CAF Champions League in a 1-1 draw against Raja Casablanca. His positive personality reportedly earned him admiration not only among fans, but also from top ranks of the club hierarchy. That is why he must not die in vain.
