The family of former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has reacted to the tragic road accident that claimed the lives of two of the boxer’s close friends shortly after his arrival in Nigeria, describing the incident as devastating and deeply painful.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, said the family only became aware of the accident several hours after it occurred, noting that many family members are not active on social media. He disclosed that he first received the shocking news around 1 p.m. from a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police who attends his church.
According to him, Anthony Joshua had been in Nigeria for barely six hours when the fatal accident happened. The boxer had traveled to the country to reunite with his family in Sagamu, Ogun State, a tradition he regularly observes during the festive season. He added that Joshua deliberately chose to spend time with family rather than attend social or political engagements with prominent figures in Lagos.
The tragedy, Adedamola Joshua said, has thrown the entire family into deep shock and mourning. He described the timing of the incident as particularly painful, stressing that the boxer had visited Nigeria on several occasions in the past without any incident.
He also criticized what he described as Nigeria’s poor emergency response system, expressing concern over images showing Anthony Joshua walking across the highway median after the crash. According to him, the boxer should have been immediately placed on a stretcher and taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
He lamented that in more advanced countries, emergency responders, including air ambulances, would have arrived within minutes to evacuate the victims. He called on the government to deploy more ambulances along accident-prone highways rather than relying solely on Federal Road Safety Corps personnel conducting document checks.
The family further condemned the conduct of some members of the public at the accident scene, accusing them of filming the victims instead of offering assistance. Adedamola Joshua revealed that Anthony Joshua’s mobile phone was stolen during the chaos that followed the crash, describing the act as shameful and unacceptable.
He called for stronger public enlightenment campaigns to educate citizens on their civic responsibilities during emergencies, noting that many Nigerians are unaware of the appropriate emergency numbers to call in the event of accidents or disasters.
Despite their concerns, the family expressed appreciation to the government for its response after the incident.
They commended Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for ensuring that Joshua received quality medical care. President Bola Tinubu was also praised for personally reaching out to the boxer and his parents to offer support.
The family further suggested that high-profile Nigerians such as Anthony Joshua should be provided with security escorts and professionally trained drivers whenever they are in the country to reduce risks associated with road travel.
Speaking on the driver involved in the accident, Adedamola Joshua said he had no personal knowledge of him but expressed concern over reports suggesting that the driver was speeding while attempting to overtake another vehicle.
He said the tragic incident has completely overshadowed the family’s holiday celebrations, adding that it was impossible to celebrate while Anthony Joshua was hospitalized and two of his friends, who had traveled to Nigeria to spend the holidays with him, were returning home in coffins.
Although the family expressed relief that the boxer has since been discharged from the hospital, they said the pain of losing his friends remains deeply traumatic.
He also acknowledged speculation that the incident could affect Joshua’s boxing career or discourage him from returning to Nigeria in the future.
On behalf of the Joshua family at home and abroad, Adedamola Joshua extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, praying for strength and comfort for all those affected by the tragedy.
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