By Abiodun Lawal | Abeokuta | December 29, 2025
The Ogun State Government has issued a formal statement expressing profound condolences following a devastating road accident that involved world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, and resulted in multiple fatalities. The incident casts a somber shadow over the festive period and reignites urgent concerns about road safety on one of Nigeria’s busiest highways.
The statement, released by Mr. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Information and Strategy, confirms the tragic event occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, specifically within the Makun axis of Ogun State. Preliminary reports indicate the accident claimed the lives of two individuals, identified as male foreign nationals, who died at the scene. Their remains have been deposited at a morgue in Sagamu.
According to the government’s account, Anthony Joshua was traveling from Lagos to Sagamu with three other individuals when the collision happened. Joshua and the driver of the vehicle were promptly rescued by security personnel attached to his convoy and transported to a hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention. The nature and extent of their injuries have not been publicly disclosed.
In its declaration, the state government described the incident as “deeply unfortunate and painful,” emphasizing the loss of “precious lives.” The statement extended prayers for the souls of the departed and for the swift recovery of the injured, while appealing for divine fortitude for the bereaved families.
This official response aligns with an earlier confirmation from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun State. Mr. Afolabi Odunsi, the FRSC Public Education Officer, provided critical context, noting the accident occurred at midnight. He cited the primary causes as speeding and wrongful overtaking by the driver, which led to the vehicle ramming into a stationary one. This detail highlights a recurring and deadly pattern on Nigerian roads, particularly on high-speed corridors like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where impatience and traffic violations often have catastrophic consequences.
The government’s statement transcended mere mourning to issue a stern public safety advisory. Mr. Akinmade urged all motorists to exercise “utmost caution” and adhere strictly to traffic regulations, a plea made especially pertinent during the festive season when vehicular movement and associated risks peak. Furthermore, he called on road safety officers and other security agencies to intensify surveillance and enforcement efforts across the state to safeguard lives and property.
This tragedy, involving a global sports icon, brings intense national and international focus to the perennial issue of road safety in Nigeria. It underscores the grim reality that the dangers of the road are indiscriminate, affecting all citizens. The incident is likely to prompt renewed discussions on infrastructure maintenance, driver education, and the enforcement of traffic laws, as the country grapples with one of the world’s highest rates of road traffic accidents. The collective mourning by the state serves as a stark reminder of the human cost behind the statistics.
Edited by Wale Sadeeq | Source: NAN
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