An uncle of former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has revealed that some bystanders stole the boxer’s phone at the scene of the road accident that claimed the lives of two of his close associates.
Speaking about the tragic incident, Adedamola Joshua described how the family first learned about the crash and the emotional toll it has taken on them. According to him, news of the accident did not reach the family immediately, as many of them are not active on social media. He said he was eventually informed through a phone call from a retired senior police officer, a revelation he initially found hard to believe.
He explained that the incident has left the family in deep shock, noting that Anthony Joshua had arrived in Nigeria just hours earlier and was eager to reunite with his relatives in Sagamu. The boxer, he said, had chosen to head straight home instead of visiting political leaders or other prominent figures, making the accident even more painful for the family to process.
Adedamola added that Joshua’s visits to Nigeria during the festive season are routine, stressing that the trip was meant to be a quiet family reunion rather than a special event. He clarified that the family’s former annual gathering no longer holds, following the death of the relative who coordinated it.
On the response to the accident, he criticised what he described as weak emergency handling, lamenting that Joshua was seen crossing the road unaided after the crash instead of being evacuated on a stretcher. He argued that the absence of rapid-response medical services worsened the situation and called for more ambulances and emergency infrastructure along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where accidents frequently occur.
He also condemned the behaviour of some bystanders, accusing them of prioritising video recordings over helping victims. According to him, the situation was made worse by reports that Joshua’s phone went missing at the scene, an act he described as shameful. He urged security agencies to respond faster to emergencies and secure accident scenes immediately.
Despite these concerns, Adedamola acknowledged the support provided by the Ogun and Lagos State governments, noting that Governors Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu ensured Joshua received proper medical care. He also confirmed that President Bola Tinubu personally reached out to the boxer and his family, offering reassurance and support.
Commenting on the driver involved in the crash, he said he did not know him personally but expressed concern over reports of excessive speed and dangerous overtaking. He suggested that prominent figures like Joshua should be provided with trained drivers and proper security arrangements whenever they are in the country.
The uncle described the festive period as one overshadowed by grief, saying the family found it difficult to celebrate while Joshua was hospitalised and the bodies of his two friends were being prepared for burial. He noted that such a tragedy was unprecedented in the family’s history.
While expressing relief that Joshua has been discharged from the hospital, he said the family’s joy remains incomplete due to the loss of the two men. He admitted that the incident could emotionally affect the boxer and might discourage him from visiting Nigeria in the future, though he expressed hope that Joshua would emerge stronger from the experience.
He concluded by offering condolences to the families of the deceased and praying for strength and healing for everyone affected by the tragedy.
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