Nigerian officials, including football star Ahmed Musa, are calling for a full investigation into the death of Nigerian footballer Abubakar Lawal, who reportedly fell from a shopping mall in Uganda on Monday.

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the circumstances of Lawal’s death as “suspicious” and insisted on a thorough probe. “This is pathetic and appears suspicious. We demand a thorough investigation. No cover-up at all,” she stated via her X handle.

Ahmed Musa also expressed concern over conflicting reports regarding Lawal’s passing. While some sources initially described the fall as an accident, later accounts suggested he fell from a balcony under unclear circumstances.

“The contradicting reports suggest something suspicious about his demise, and I have been in contact with the Nigerian authority and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), calling their attention to this fatal case in Uganda,” Musa said. “I am appealing to the Nigerian Government and the NFF to investigate the incident and work with the Ugandan government to get justice for Lawal. Lawal’s soul deserves a thorough investigation, and justice must be served if anyone is found guilty,” Musa said.

Meanwhile, the Ugandan police confirmed they are reviewing CCTV footage and conducting interrogations to clarify the circumstances of the incident.

“Authorities are retrieving CCTV footage and conducting thorough interrogations to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident,” Ugandan police said in a statement.

Lawal, 29, played for Vipers SC in the Ugandan league and was reportedly visiting a Tanzanian friend when the tragic incident occurred.