Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has reportedly been involved in a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State, Nigeria, with at least two people feared dead. The incident occurred just days after a high-profile bout featuring YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
A verified source at Metro Punch confirmed that the accident happened on Monday morning along the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, in Ogun. Details surrounding the crash remain sketchy, and there has been no official statement from authorities as of the time of filing this report.
However, a video sighted by our correspondent shows Joshua seated inside a badly wrecked vehicle, while two of his companions were reportedly dead at the scene.
Although the boxer was reported to have sustained only minor injuries, a video circulating on social media showed the 36-year-old visibly in pain as he was assisted by bystanders and members of his security detail from the wreckage.
A Punch staff member, Adeniyi Orojo, who witnessed the crash, described the scene as horrific, suggesting that the vehicle conveying the boxer rammed into a stationary truck, with the impact leaving gory sights at the scene.
“It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash.
“Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist. A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived. The passenger beside the driver and the person beside Joshua died on the spot,” he said.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, confirmed the accident and revealed that Joshua and other injured persons have been taken to the hospital.
“The Ogun State Police Command confirms a road accident today in front of Sinoma, before Danco, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. Anthony Joshua and other injured persons have been rushed to the hospital,” the police spokesperson told The Punch, adding that further updates will be communicated.
The Commissioner of Ogun State Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, added, “I can confirm an accident occurred and Anthony Joshua has been taken to the hospital.
“A vehicle rammed into a stationary vehicle. Unfortunately, there were two fatalities. Anthony Joshua was treated by first responders at the scene and then taken to the hospital.”
Speaking with the BBC on conditions of anonymity, a relative of Anthony Joshua said, “We are hoping for his speedy recovery and also the people who passed away – I pray for the departed to rest in peace,’ they said.
“He’s normally coming around for the new year. We haven’t seen him, so we were expecting him.”
