The family of former Nigeria youth international Victor Udoh has requested a formal autopsy following his death in Abuja over the weekend. The decision comes amid growing uncertainty around the circumstances surrounding the incident, as no official cause of death has been established.
Medical authorities are expected to carry out a post-mortem examination after the Eid el-Kabir holidays, pending approval from the relevant court. As of the time of reporting, no arrests have been made, and investigators have not publicly stated whether foul play is suspected.
Udoh, a forward who previously featured for Nigeria at youth level and was once part of the Golden Eaglets setup, was found dead after friends were unable to reach him by phone. They reportedly forced entry into his room after repeated attempts to contact him failed.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Udoh had trained earlier on the day he died. He is said to have completed a solo workout near the hills between Kubwa and Bwari in Abuja. He also shared clips of the session on social media before returning home later that day.
He was later discovered unresponsive in his room. The sequence of events between his return home and when he was found has not been officially clarified.
A source quoted by SCORENigeria said there has been an increase in speculation surrounding the circumstances of his death, a development the family believes is unhelpful as investigations continue.
“So many claims have been circulated about what led to his death, and that is why an autopsy is now necessary,” the source said.
The family says it is seeking a clear medical explanation for the death of a player who, according to relatives and associates, appeared healthy on the day he died. They have also pointed to the need for verified findings before conclusions are drawn in public discussions.
Udoh had recently been preparing to resume his professional career abroad. He had obtained a visa to return to the Czech Republic, where he was expected to continue playing after a spell with Dynamo České Budějovice. He joined the Czech side following his departure from Southampton in 2025.
Before his move to England, Udoh played for Belgian club Royal Antwerp, where he developed after leaving Abuja-based academy Hypebuzz. His progression through youth football in Nigeria and Europe marked him as one of the young forwards working through the European development pipeline.
The circumstances of his death remain under review, with authorities awaiting autopsy results before providing further details.
