World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal road traffic crash Monday on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Makun, Ogun State, an incident that left two people dead and prompted an investigation by Nigerian traffic authorities, eyewitnesses and local news organizations said.
Witnesses at the scene told PUNCH Online and Promptnews that the crash occurred along a busy stretch of the highway when the vehicle conveying Joshua collided with another car under circumstances that were still unclear late Monday. First responders confirmed that two people died at the scene, while Joshua sustained minor injuries and received immediate medical attention.
An eyewitness who participated in the rescue effort said emergency workers acted quickly to evacuate the injured and secure the crash site. The identities of the victims had not been released as authorities worked to notify their families, the witness said.
Officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency were deployed to the area, cordoning off the highway as traffic slowed on the major artery linking Lagos with southwestern and northern Nigeria. Investigators were examining the wreckage and speaking with witnesses to determine the cause of the collision, officials at the scene said.
News of the crash spread rapidly on social media, with fans expressing concern for the British-Nigerian boxer, one of the most recognizable figures in global heavyweight boxing. Sources cited by Promptnews said Joshua appeared stable after the accident and did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
While the focus has been on Joshua’s condition, road safety experts note that the incident again highlights persistent dangers on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, one of Nigeria’s busiest and deadliest highways. Frequent crashes on the corridor have been linked to heavy traffic, speeding, driver fatigue and ongoing construction, issues that authorities say they continue to address through enforcement and infrastructure upgrades.
High-profile accidents involving celebrities often reignite public debate over road safety standards and emergency response capacity in Nigeria. Analysts say such incidents can also increase pressure on regulators to accelerate reforms aimed at reducing fatalities on major highways.
Authorities said further updates would be released as the investigation continues.
Punchng/Promptnews
