Web Desk: British former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua sustained minor injuries after a vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a fatal crash on a major highway in Nigeria’s Ogun State, police and road safety officials said on Monday.
Two people died in the accident, which occurred along the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway, a key route linking the commercial capital Lagos with surrounding states.
Crash under investigation
Ogun State police said the incident involved a Lexus SUV carrying Joshua, 36, which collided with another vehicle under circumstances that remain under investigation.
Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi said Joshua was seated in the rear of the vehicle at the time of the crash. “He sustained minor injuries and is receiving medical attention,” Babaseyi said, adding that officers arrived at the scene shortly after the accident.
Joshua could not immediately be reached for comment.
Road safety officials cite speeding
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps said preliminary findings suggest the vehicle was travelling above the permitted speed limit when it lost control during an overtaking attempt and struck a stationary truck parked along the roadside.
Officials said five people were involved in the crash. Two passengers died at the scene, while Joshua and two others survived. Authorities described the deceased as foreign nationals, pending formal identification.
Eyewitnesses and rescue efforts
Witnesses told local media that the SUV struck a disabled truck carrying agricultural goods. Joshua remained inside the damaged vehicle for several minutes before bystanders and security personnel helped pull him out.
Images and videos circulating on social media showed the boxer being assisted from the wreckage as crowds gathered nearby. The footage appeared to show him conscious but visibly shaken.
Road safety officers later cleared the damaged vehicles to restore traffic flow on the highway.
Official and public reaction
Ogun State authorities said a full investigation has been ordered to determine responsibility for the crash. Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, said it was seeking further details but noted that early indications suggested the fighter was not seriously hurt.
Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer whom Joshua defeated earlier this month, posted a message expressing sympathy for the victims and support for Joshua.
Joshua in Nigeria after recent bout
Joshua, a two-time former heavyweight world champion and Olympic gold medallist, has been spending time in Nigeria following his victory over Jake Paul on Dec. 19. The fight marked his return to the ring after a lengthy layoff and came amid renewed speculation about a potential future bout with long-time rival Tyson Fury.
Born in Britain to Nigerian parents, Joshua has frequently spoken of his ties to Nigeria and serves as a sports ambassador in Ogun State, where local authorities have previously announced plans to name a boxing facility in his honour.
The crash adds to growing concerns over road safety on Nigeria’s highways, where speeding and poor vehicle conditions remain persistent challenges despite repeated enforcement campaigns.
