Anthony Joshua Survives Nigeria Car Crash That Claims Two Close Friends’ Lives

LAGOS — British-Nigerian heavyweight boxing icon Anthony Joshua escaped with minor injuries from a devastating car crash in Nigeria’s Ogun State that killed two of his close friends and team members. The accident, which occurred on the notoriously perilous Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, underscores the deadly risks of Nigeria’s highways amid speeding and poor overtaking practices.

Joshua, a former unified world heavyweight champion, sustained minor injuries after the vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a crash on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria’s busiest and most dangerous highways. Nigerian authorities confirmed that two people died in the incident, while Joshua and two others survived.

In a statement released on Monday, Matchroom Boxing, Joshua’s promoter, confirmed the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, describing them as close friends and members of Joshua’s wider team. “With profound sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, have tragically passed away,” the statement said.

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The Ogun State Police Command said the accident involved two vehicles and that Joshua suffered only minor injuries. He was taken to the hospital for checks and treatment and was later reported to be in a stable condition, where he remains under observation.

Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) provided further details, saying five men were involved in the crash. According to the agency, two people died at the scene, two others were unhurt, and Joshua sustained minor injuries.

Preliminary investigations by the FRSC suggest the vehicle Joshua was travelling in may have been speeding and lost control while attempting to overtake, before colliding with a stationary truck parked by the roadside. “The primary causes of the crash, being excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways,” the FRSC said in a post on X.

Officials have not disclosed who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, and investigations are continuing.

National reaction and condolences

The incident has prompted an outpouring of sympathy in Nigeria and beyond. President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to Joshua and the families of the victims, describing the incident as a “tragic accident” and offering prayers for the bereaved.

Tributes have also come from across the boxing world. Jake Paul, whom Joshua defeated just over a week ago, posted a message of sympathy on X, saying he was “praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”

Joshua himself has not yet spoken publicly about the crash.

Although born in Britain to Nigerian parents, Joshua has long spoken about his deep ties to Nigeria. As a child, he attended boarding school in Ikenne, a town in Ogun State, before returning to the United Kingdom at the age of 12. He has frequently described Nigeria as central to his identity and has been a regular visitor to the country, both privately and through charitable and business engagements.

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The location of the crash has again drawn attention to safety concerns on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, a critical economic artery linking Lagos to much of southwestern Nigeria. Despite ongoing upgrades, the road has remained notorious for fatal accidents, often linked to speeding, reckless overtaking and poorly parked heavy vehicles.

Shadow over a boxing comeback

The crash comes at a poignant moment in Joshua’s career. Just days earlier, the 36-year-old returned to the ring after a 15-month layoff, knocking out American social media personality Jake Paul in the sixth round of a high-profile bout in Miami. The win was widely seen as a confidence-restoring performance following a difficult period in his career.

Joshua is expected to fight long-time rival Tyson Fury in 2026, a bout that would rank among the biggest in British boxing history. For now, however, his sporting future has been pushed into the background by personal loss.

As investigations continue, the focus remains on the families of the two men who lost their lives, and on Joshua’s recovery, both physical and emotional. What was meant to be a quiet visit to Nigeria following a successful comeback has instead turned into a moment of tragedy, underscoring once again the human cost of road accidents and the fragile line between celebration and grief.