NFF intensifies search for truth regarding Abubakar Lawal’s death

By Olaolu Joseph

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has continued its efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of former Nigeria U-20 player, Abubakar Lawal, in Uganda.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, reiterated on Friday that the country’s football-governing body remains fully committed to the matter and will not relent until the truth about the player’s death is revealed.

Lawal passed away on Monday morning, with initial reports suggesting he died in a motorbike accident, later revised to a car crash. However, hours later, the Ugandan police stated that he had actually fallen from the third floor of a hotel at the Voicemail Shopping Mall in Bwebajja. He was reportedly at the mall to visit a friend, Tanzanian national Naima Omary, who had moved into the hotel a month earlier.

Omary has since been taken into custody by the Ugandan police.

“We are not relenting in the search for truth. The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed its determination to uncover the facts, and we have reached out to our counterparts in the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) for assistance in finding out what truly happened.

“The circumstances surrounding the player’s passing remain shrouded in mystery, but we are committed to doing everything possible to shed light on the situation and support the Federal Government in its quest for the truth.”

Hours after the tragic incident on Monday, Sanusi contacted his FUFA counterpart, Edgar Watson Suubi, seeking urgent assistance in investigating the matter.

Suubi responded, stating, “It is a sad situation. I have also received conflicting reports on the incident, but I have assigned someone to investigate, and we will send you a copy of the report from the police, medical authorities, or any relevant institution that can provide a satisfactory explanation.”

The NFF followed up Sanusi’s phone conversation with a formal letter, in which it stated, “There has been significant outcry in our country regarding the mystery of his death, and I have decided to reach out to you, as a colleague, to help clarify how the player actually met his end.

“It is a very sad situation for Nigerian football and his family, and it is important to obtain the facts to bring some closure to his tragic passing. We would also like to know what arrangements are being made to repatriate his remains to his family in Nigeria.”

Lawal was a member of Nigeria’s squad at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand 10 years ago and was a key player for Ugandan Premier League club Vipers FC before his passing.