Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has narrowly escaped death in a tragic motor accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that has claimed the lives of two of his aides.
The crash, which occurred around 11:00 AM this morning at the Makun axis of the expressway, involved the boxer’s convoy and a stationary heavy-duty truck.
While Joshua, 36, reportedly sustained only minor injuries and is currently receiving medical attention, authorities have confirmed that two passengers travelling in the same vehicle—a Lexus SUV—died instantly upon impact.
The Incident According to eyewitness reports and preliminary confirmation from the Ogun State Police Command, the accident took place near the Danco Filling Station, a notorious black spot on the busy interstate highway.
Joshua was travelling as part of a two-car convoy, with his security detail following in a Pajero SUV. Sources on the scene indicate that the driver of the Lexus attempted to maneuver around traffic but collided violently with a truck parked indiscriminately by the roadside—a recurring hazard on the Lagos-Ibadan corridor.
“The impact was severe on the passenger side,” said a local trader who witnessed the aftermath. “We saw AJ walk out; he looked dazed and was limping, but he was alive. Sadly, the people in the front passenger seat and the back seat with him did not make it.”
Official Response DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi, the Public Relations Officer for the Ogun State Police, confirmed the casualty figures to Lagos Metropolitan but declined to release the names of the deceased pending notification of their next of kin.
“We have deposited the bodies at the morgue and are currently working to clear the obstruction,” Oluseyi stated. “Mr. Joshua is in stable condition and is assisting us with our preliminary inquiries, though he is understandably in a state of shock.”
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander has also deployed a unit to the scene to manage the resulting gridlock, which has stretched back toward the Sagamu Interchange.
A Homecoming Turned Tragic The accident comes as a devastating blow during what was meant to be a celebratory homecoming for the British-Nigerian boxer. Joshua, whose ancestral roots lie in Sagamu, had returned to Nigeria for the festive season following his high-profile bout against Jake Paul earlier this month.
Joshua is a beloved figure in Ogun State, particularly in Sagamu, where the local government renamed Cinema Road to “Anthony Joshua Way” in 2021 to honour his global achievements and connection to the soil. He has frequently cited his time at a boarding school in Ikenne as a formative period in his life, often returning to the state to connect with family and support local charities.
The Danger of the Road This incident once again highlights the perils of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, particularly the Makun-Sagamu stretch. Despite ongoing reconstruction efforts, stationary trucks and reckless parking continue to claim lives weekly.
As news of the crash spreads, prayers have begun pouring in on social media for the boxing icon, alongside condolences for the families of the two victims whose identities remain withheld.
This is a developing story. Lagos Metropolitan will provide further updates as the FRSC releases its official report.
