THIS DAWN — British-Nigerian heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua is recovering from minor injuries following a fatal car accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that killed two of his close team members.
The incident, which occurred on December 29, 2025, near Sagamu in Ogun State, has sparked widespread tributes, calls for improved road safety in Nigeria, and an ongoing investigation into its causes.
The crash happened around midday local time when Joshua’s Lexus SUV collided with a stationary truck parked along the busy highway.
Initial reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) suggested wrongful overtaking and overspeeding as contributing factors.
However, subsequent investigations by the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) indicated that a burst tire on the passenger side caused the driver to lose control, leading to the partial collision.
The expressway, a vital link between Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, is notorious for accidents.
5,000 annual fatalities on Nigerian roads
The World Health Organization estimated over 5,000 annual fatalities on Nigerian highways due to poor infrastructure, vehicle maintenance issues, and reckless driving.
Joshua, 36, a two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, was a passenger in the vehicle.
He sustained minor injuries, initially described as non-life-threatening, but later updates revealed a fractured leg.
He was airlifted abroad for further treatment after medical assessments confirmed no internal trauma.
His promoter, Matchroom Boxing, confirmed in a statement that Joshua remains in stable condition in a Lagos hospital under observation before being flown out.
Video footage from the scene, shared widely on social media, showed Joshua being assisted from the wreckage and transferred to another vehicle with emergency lights.
Tragically, two members of Joshua’s entourage did not survive.
Identified as Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, and Latif Ayodele (known as Latz ‘Latif Healthy_Mindset’), his longtime personal trainer and friend, both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Their remains were taken to the Livewell Morgue in Ajaka, Sagamu.
Ghami was on only his second visit to Nigeria, while Ayodele was a regular, involved in local humanitarian projects.
Truck Driver on the Run
The accident occurred just hours after the group arrived in Lagos, where Joshua frequently visits his family roots—three to four times a year, especially during festive periods.
Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, told reporters the family was unaware of the crash until media inquiries flooded in.
“We were shocked and couldn’t talk,” a friend of Joshua recounted, describing the boxer’s emotional state post-accident.
The driver of Joshua’s SUV has since been discharged from the hospital but faces potential charges for dangerous and reckless driving causing death.
Meanwhile, the truck driver fled the scene immediately after the impact and is now wanted by Nigerian police.
The boxing world has rallied around Joshua, who recently defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a high-profile bout just 10 days prior.
Former rival Wladimir Klitschko sent messages of support, while tributes poured in for Ghami and Ayodele.
Condolences from Around the World
Social media erupted with condolences, including from podcaster Joe Budden, who highlighted fears of inadequate healthcare abroad, and Nigerian activists calling attention to the lack of ambulances at the scene.
One viral post lamented, “God don’t let this be true,” capturing the global shock.
This tragedy underscores Nigeria’s road safety crisis, where poorly maintained vehicles and highways contribute to high fatality rates.
Advocacy groups are renewing demands for better infrastructure, stricter enforcement, and emergency response systems.
Joshua, known for his philanthropy and ties to his Nigerian heritage, has yet to make a public statement, but sources say he is “devastated” by the loss of his “brothers.”
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a somber reminder of life’s fragility, even for global icons like Joshua.
Updates are expected as authorities pursue the fugitive truck driver and finalize charges.
