The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has blamed excessive speed and wrongful overtaking for the road accident involving world-famous boxer, Anthony Joshua, on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The accident, which occurred on Monday, claimed the lives of two people and left Joshua with minor injuries.
The crash happened around 12 noon near the Sinoma area along the Sagamu axis of the expressway. According to the FRSC, the Lexus Jeep conveying Anthony Joshua crashed into a stationary truck while attempting to overtake at high speed.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the FRSC said its preliminary investigation showed that the vehicle was travelling beyond the legally approved speed limit on that section of the road.
“The vehicle was travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor and lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre, which led to the crash,” the statement said.
The corps explained that excessive speed and wrongful overtaking are among the most common causes of fatal road accidents in Nigeria.
“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 added.
As a result of the crash, two people lost their lives on the spot. The FRSC confirmed that the bodies of the deceased were taken to the Livewell Morgue, Ajaka, in Sagamu. Their identities were not immediately made public at the time of the report.
Anthony Joshua, who was in the vehicle at the time of the accident, survived with minor injuries. He was rescued by emergency responders and security personnel and taken to a hospital for medical attention. Sources confirmed that his condition was stable and not life-threatening.
The FRSC also disclosed that the Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division (MTD) has been informed about the incident. Further investigation will be carried out to fully establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
In its statement, the FRSC extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished Anthony Joshua a quick recovery.
“To this end, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, on behalf of the entire management and staff of the FRSC, extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes the injured victim, Anthony Joshua, a speedy recovery,” the statement read.
The Lagos–Ibadan Expressway is one of the busiest highways in Nigeria. It connects Lagos, the country’s commercial capital, to several states in the South-West, North-Central, and Northern regions. Despite ongoing reconstruction work, the road remains a major accident hotspot due to speeding, heavy traffic, and poor driving habits.
Road safety officials have repeatedly warned motorists to obey speed limits and avoid dangerous overtaking, especially on busy highways. According to the FRSC, many fatal accidents on Nigerian roads could be avoided if drivers followed basic traffic rules.
The latest accident involving Anthony Joshua has again drawn national attention to the dangers of reckless driving, even for well-known individuals travelling with security support.
Anthony Joshua is a former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion and one of the most successful boxers of his generation. Though born in the United Kingdom, he is of Nigerian descent and has strong ties to Nigeria, especially Ogun State, where his roots trace back.
Joshua returned to Nigeria recently as part of his yuletide holiday. The visit followed his recent boxing match in the United States, where he knocked out Jake Paul in an exhibition heavyweight bout at the Kaseya Centre in Miami. The fight took place just nine days before the road accident.
Since news of the crash broke, fans across Nigeria and around the world have expressed concern for Joshua’s safety. Many took to social media to send messages of support and prayers for his recovery.
The accident has also sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws on major highways. Safety experts say that excessive speed remains a major challenge, despite the presence of speed limit signs and patrol teams.
Wrongful overtaking, another major issue identified by the FRSC, often occurs when drivers try to bypass slow-moving vehicles without clear visibility of oncoming traffic. This risky behaviour frequently leads to head-on collisions and crashes involving stationary vehicles.
In recent years, the FRSC has increased public awareness campaigns on road safety, urging drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and ensure their vehicles are in good condition before travelling.
The corps has also called on transport companies, private drivers, and public figures to lead by example by obeying traffic rules at all times.
As investigations continue, the FRSC said more details would be made available if necessary. For now, the corps has used the incident as another reminder of the deadly consequences of speeding and dangerous driving.
The tragic loss of lives in the crash serves as a painful reminder that road accidents do not discriminate. Whether famous or unknown, everyone is at risk when traffic rules are ignored.
As Nigerians continue to react to the incident, authorities have again urged all road users to exercise patience and caution on the roads, especially during festive periods when traffic volume is usually high.