The tragic death of Vipers SC’s Nigerian midfielder, Abubakar Lawal, has taken a shocking twist as police investigations reveal that he allegedly fell from the third floor of Voicemall Shopping Arcade, contrary to initial reports that he had died in a road accident along Entebbe Road.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, Lawal’s death is now the subject of an ongoing investigation, with authorities working to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
“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,” Owoyesigyire said in a statement.
Preliminary reports indicate that Lawal arrived at Voicemall Shopping Arcade in his black vehicle, registration number UBQ 695G, to meet his friend, Omary Naima, a Tanzanian national. Naima, who has been residing in room 416 of the arcade since February 20, 2025, told police that she had left Lawal in the room preparing tea while she stepped out to a game center within the mall.
However, moments later, at around 8:00 AM, Lawal reportedly fell from the balcony of the third floor. He was rushed to Entebbe Referral Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In the wake of the incident, police recovered several of Lawal’s personal belongings, including two smartphones, a pair of open shoes, headsets, a training kit, and chargers, from his black backpack.
Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine whether Lawal’s fall was an accident or if foul play was involved. As part of their inquiry, detectives are retrieving CCTV footage from the shopping mall and conducting thorough interrogations of individuals who may have had contact with the footballer before his death.
“As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities are retrieving CCTV footage and conducting thorough interrogations to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses,” police said in their statement.
Earlier reports had suggested that Lawal died in a road crash along Entebbe Road, but the police statement has now nullified this claim, confirming that the footballer fell from the third floor of Voicemall Shopping Arcade.
