BY Nadia Ntiamoah
Anthony Joshua, former boxing heavyweight champion was on Monday involved in a tragic road accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria, an incident that claimed the lives of two individuals and left several others injured.
The crash occurred in the late morning hours near the Makun axis of the highway, close to the Sagamu Interchange, an area known for heavy traffic and frequent accidents.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the vehicle conveying the former heavyweight champion collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated by authorities.
According to eyewitness accounts gathered at the scene, Joshua was travelling in a Lexus SUV with three other occupants when the crash occurred.
The convoy also included a second vehicle carrying members of his security detail.
The impact of the collision was severe, leaving the Lexus badly damaged and causing instant fatalities.
A witness, who identified himself as Adeniyi Orojo, told reporters that Joshua was seated in the back seat of the vehicle at the time of the crash.
He confirmed that two occupants—one seated beside the driver and another seated near Joshua—died instantly from the impact.
The remaining occupants, including the boxing star, sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“The accident happened just before the Danco Filling Station in Makun,” the eyewitness explained.
“It was a serious collision. We rushed to help, and some people flagged down vehicles to assist before emergency responders arrived. Unfortunately, two people were already dead at the scene.”
Emergency officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) later arrived to manage the situation and clear the wreckage. Joshua was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
While initial reports described his injuries as non-life-threatening, he was said to be under observation as doctors conducted further assessments.
The Ogun State Police Command later confirmed the incident. The spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, acknowledged the crash and stated that investigations were underway to determine its cause.
He confirmed that two persons died at the scene, while Joshua and another survivor were receiving medical treatment.
Authorities declined to immediately disclose the names of the deceased, pending notification of their families.
News of the accident quickly spread across social media, sparking an outpouring of concern from fans and fellow athletes around the world.
Many expressed relief that the former heavyweight champion survived, while mourning the tragic loss of lives linked to the incident.
The crash comes at a time when Joshua had recently been in the global spotlight following his high-profile boxing engagements and public appearances.
His involvement in such a serious road accident has reignited conversations around road safety on Nigeria’s major highways, particularly the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, which has recorded numerous fatal accidents over the years due to speeding, poor visibility, and heavy vehicular movement.
