Road accident claims life of Nigerian referee travelling for fitness test

Tragedy has struck the Nigerian football community following the sudden death of referee Awupri Antoniobob Omagu, who reportedly died in a road accident while travelling to Edo State for the 2025 National Referees Fitness Test.

The heartbreaking news was confirmed by fellow referee Francis Finan Ofionor, who shared the details on social media on Wednesday, October 29.

He wrote, “We lost Awupri Antoniobob Omagu this morning about 5 a.m. while on transit to Edo State for the Nigeria Annual Referees Fitness Test. I woke up at exactly 4:58 a.m. in Benin City, picked my phone and dialled his number; it rang but no answer. At 5:07 a.m., I got a call from Angwe Lee saying, ‘Senior man, Fada Bob don die ooo, we just get accident and he’s dead.’”

According to Ofionor, he initially refused to believe the news and urged those at the scene to rush Omagu to the hospital, hoping he might be in shock. Sadly, the referee was later confirmed dead at the hospital.

“As the team leader of the Cross River State referees’ contingents, I alerted the authorities and the rest is now news,” Ofionor added in his emotional post.

He explained that they had earlier agreed to travel during the day but could not explain why the late referee and his colleagues chose to travel at night. “God knows why. May God rest your soul, Bob,” he concluded.

Since the news broke, tributes have poured in across social media from friends, colleagues, and football lovers mourning the loss.

Innocent Ogbologra wrote, “My heart is bleeding, my heart is heavy, and with tears in my eyes, my great community Wonye has been thrown into mourning once more. Lord, please have mercy. Awupri Antoniobob Omagu (Fr. Bob), why? Rest in peace, my brother.”

Ikade Paul Ajima also shared his grief, recalling Omagu’s past struggles. “Some time ago, you had a fatal clash on the field that gave a serious fracture, and it seemed like you would never walk again, but God made you walk. Why should it be the same cause that has taken your life this time? Oh Tonibob, it’s so sad to know that you’re no more.”