The incident occurred on the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria’s most heavily trafficked highways. According to Ogun State Police Command, the vehicle carrying Joshua collided with another car under circumstances that are now under formal investigation. Joshua, 36, sustained only minor injuries and was treated without complications.
Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that five men were involved in the crash. Two passengers died at the scene, while Joshua and two others survived, with the remaining occupants escaping without injuries. Preliminary findings by the FRSC pointed to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking as major contributing factors to the collision.
Matchroom Boxing, Joshua’s promoter, later confirmed that the two men who lost their lives were not only close friends of the boxer but also part of his wider professional circle, describing them as teammates whose deaths have deeply affected him. The organisation said Joshua was shaken by the incident but physically stable.
Local authorities have launched a detailed investigation to establish full responsibility for the crash, while road safety officials reiterated warnings about dangerous driving practices on the Lagos–Ibadan corridor, which has been the site of several fatal accidents in recent years.
The crash comes at a pivotal moment in Joshua’s career. After returning to competitive boxing earlier this year, the former unified heavyweight champion has been widely expected to face long-time rival Tyson Fury in a blockbuster bout tentatively slated for 2026.
As tributes continue to pour in for the victims, the tragedy underscores the persistent dangers on Nigeria’s highways and casts a somber shadow over what was shaping up to be a renewed chapter in one of boxing’s most high-profile careers.
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