Lawal’s brother demands justice after player’s tragic death in Uganda News

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Lawal’s brother demands justice after player’s tragic death in Uganda

By Daily Sports Nigeria on March 8, 2025

Mansour Lawal, the elder brother of Abubakar Lawal, the Nigerian player who tragically died in Uganda last month has pleaded with the Nigerian government and Ugandan authorities to investigate the player’s death for the sake of justice, The PUNCH reports.

Lawal’s death was announced by his football club and the Ugandan Police on Monday, February 24 with initial reports suggesting he died in a motorcycle accident before the police said in a statement that he allegedly fell from the balcony of a shopping mall in Kampala, the Ugandan capital while visiting a Tanzanian friend.

The 29-year-old was buried in his home state in Sokoto on Tuesday. He was also honoured by his club Vipers SC and their fans on Sunday.

“I am also urging the Nigerian government and the Ugandan government to please work with the Nigerian embassy to ensure justice prevails. They should try their best to bring whoever is responsible for Abubakar Lawal’s death to book,” Mansour said in a video shared by the player’s club Viper SC.

“We appreciate the people of Nigeria, the Sokoto State government

“On behalf of myself, and my family, I thank the president of Vipers Club for making sure the remains of Abubaka Lawal returned home. As a family, we know it is not easy. I also thank his friends, teammates, fans and the Nigerian embassy.

“We also thank the Nigerian government and the Sokoto State, for the great job they did, for the prayers and a successful burial.”

While the Ugandan authorities have said the investigation into the cause of the player’s death is ongoing, the Nigerian Government, through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission as well as the Nigerian High Commission in Uganda have also promised to get to the root of the matter.

“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,” Uganda Police said in a statement last Monday.

“According to Naima, she left Lawal in the room preparing tea and proceeded to a game centre within the mall. Shortly after, at approximately 8:00 AM, Lawal reportedly fell from the balcony. He was rushed to Entebbe Referral Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.”

“The Nigerian Embassy in Uganda has been on the issue immediately after they were informed. Ambassador Shama Shanga has been engaging with the authorities and demanded a thorough investigation,” NiDCOM Chairman Dabiri-Erewa told our correspondent.

“This is pathetic and appears suspicious. We demand a thorough investigation. No cover-up at all. This is so sad. NiDCOM will ensure and demand a thorough and transparent investigation. May his soul RIP and God give the family the fortitude to bear this loss,” she also said on X.

Lawal, 29, moved from Wikki Tourists to Nasarawa United in 2019 before joining As Kigali in 2020.

After two years in Rwanda, he moved to Uganda, where he joined Vipers.

Source Punch Ng

Posted March 8, 2025