Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua is in a stable condition following a fatal road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The British-Nigerian boxer arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, early yesterday and was travelling in a Lexus SUV from Lagos to his paternal hometown, Sagamu, Ogun State, when the crash occurred. The vehicle reportedly rammed into a stationary truck along the expressway.
Two passengers died instantly, while Joshua and the driver sustained injuries. They were rushed to a Lagos hospital for treatment, while the deceased were taken to a mortuary in Ajaka, Sagamu. The severely damaged SUV was later evacuated to the Sagamu Motor Traffic Division office.
Sources identified the deceased as Joshua’s fitness trainer and a close friend. It was gathered that the boxer had earlier played tennis in Lagos with the two foreigners before embarking on the trip. The late trainer was said to have played a key role in Joshua’s physical conditioning and performance over the years.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is currently in Europe, spoke with the boxer on the phone while he was receiving treatment to encourage him and commiserate with him over the loss of his trainer and friend. The President also spoke with Joshua’s mother.
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) attributed the crash to overspeeding and wrongful overtaking. FRSC spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide said the incident involved a black Lexus Jeep and a stationary commercial truck, noting that excessive speed and dangerous overtaking remain leading causes of fatal accidents on Nigerian highways.
A joint statement by the Lagos and Ogun State governments confirmed that Joshua was stable. According to the statement, doctors said both survivors were in stable condition and did not require emergency medical intervention, adding that a full medical team was monitoring them closely.
Both governments expressed their deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased and announced that investigations into the accident had commenced. They also appealed for privacy for Joshua and his family during the period.
Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo confirmed that investigations were ongoing, while Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun visited the boxer in the hospital.
In a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said he personally called Joshua to convey his condolences and pray for him. He also spoke with Joshua’s mother and later with Governor Abiodun, who assured him that the boxer was receiving the best possible medical attention.
The President described Joshua as a patriotic and disciplined sportsman whose achievements have brought pride to Nigeria, praying for his speedy recovery and for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the accident.
