The death of Nigerian footballer Victor Udoh has taken a dramatic turn as his mother reportedly ordered the arrest of his girlfriend and close friends following suspicions that he died from food or alcohol poisoning.

Udoh, a 21-year-old winger who previously featured for Southampton and Belgian side Royal Antwerp at youth level, was said to be in Abuja on holiday when he suddenly fell ill and died under what have been described as suspicious circumstances.

Initial reports indicated that the player had spent time with friends and his girlfriend shortly before his condition deteriorated. According to accounts circulating among those close to the family, questions quickly arose over what he ate and drank in the hours leading up to his collapse.

Paris-based sports journalist Ojora Babatunde, who has been tracking the case, reported that Udoh’s mother, deeply shaken by the circumstances of her son’s death, insisted that those who were with him last be taken into custody for questioning. The move is understood to be driven by her belief that crucial details about his final hours have not yet been fully disclosed.

Family sources say the grieving mother is demanding a thorough investigation, including toxicology tests, to determine whether her son was deliberately poisoned or fell victim to contaminated food or drink. Her decision to involve law enforcement and push for arrests has intensified public interest and debate around the case.

Police in Abuja are reported to be interrogating the detained individuals to reconstruct Udoh’s final movements, what was consumed, and whether there were any prior disputes or warning signs. No official cause of death has yet been released, and authorities have not confirmed any charges.

Udoh’s passing has sparked an outpouring of grief within Nigerian football circles and among fans who followed his early promise abroad. Tributes have highlighted his pace, technical ability, and the sense that his professional career was only just beginning.

As investigations continue, the focus remains on whether forensic findings will support the family’s suspicions or point to a tragic accident. For now, the arrests ordered by his mother underscore both the depth of her loss and her determination to obtain clear answers about how her son died.