The Federal Road Safety Corps has said it is awaiting the outcome of a comprehensive technical investigation into the road crash involving Nigerian boxing star, Anthony Joshua, which occurred on Monday in Ogun State.
The accident happened around noon near the Sinoma axis of Sagamu on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and involved a black Lexus SUV and a stationary red Sinotruck.
While the final cause of the crash will be determined after a detailed analysis, the FRSC said preliminary findings from its crash observatory indicate that excessive speed likely played a major role.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, the Corps’ spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, said trained safety experts conducted an initial professional assessment at the crash scene shortly after the incident.
“From the level of impact, it is clear that whoever was driving must have been travelling above the speed limit,” Ogungbemide said. “If a vehicle is being driven within the speed limit prescribed by the Federal Government, you are unlikely to see this level of damage.”
According to the FRSC, five adult males were involved in the crash. Two of them, identified as close friends of Joshua, died on the spot. One person sustained injuries, while two others escaped unhurt. Joshua survived the accident with minor injuries.
Ogungbemide explained that although there was no active speed-measuring device at the exact point of the crash, officers could reasonably estimate the speed based on impact force, damage to the vehicles, and road configuration.
“At that moment, there was no technical equipment to confirm the exact speed,” he said.
“But when you look at the push and the severity of the impact, it gives a strong indication of how fast the vehicle was likely moving.”
He also clarified that the Sinotruck involved was parked on the shoulder of the road and was not reported to have broken down at the location.
“The information reaching us is that the truck did not break down there. It appears it was parked on the shoulder of the road,” Ogungbemide stated.
The FRSC spokesperson noted that the maximum speed limit on Nigerian highways is 100 kilometres per hour, adding that crashes within this limit are generally less severe.
Addressing concerns about emergency response, Ogungbemide said FRSC patrol teams arrived at the scene within three minutes.
“That corridor has more than five emergency ambulance points, and our response time was three minutes,” he said.
He added that Joshua was conscious and responsive at the scene and received immediate assistance.
Ogungbemide further disclosed that the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, has directed that the technical investigation be concluded promptly and the findings made public.
“Once the investigation is completed, the FRSC will communicate the outcome to members of the public,” he said.
