The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that the driver of Nigerian-British boxing star, Anthony Joshua, is currently in police custody following a fatal road accident that occurred along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway earlier this week.
The police made this known on Thursday, saying investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing. The accident, which happened on Monday, claimed the lives of two close friends of the boxer, while Joshua himself sustained injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Anthony Joshua, a former world heavyweight boxing champion and one of Nigeria’s most famous sports personalities, was reportedly travelling with his friends when the crash occurred.
According to reports from security and road safety agencies, the accident happened around 11am on Monday along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, in front of Sinoma, before the Danco area. The vehicle involved was a Lexus SUV with registration number KRD 850 HN.
The SUV, which was conveying Anthony Joshua and his friends, reportedly collided with a stationary truck parked by the roadside. Two passengers in the vehicle, identified as Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, lost their lives in the crash. Joshua was injured and later rushed to hospital.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun Sector Command, said preliminary findings showed that excessive speed played a major role in the accident.
According to the FRSC, the driver of the Lexus SUV was speeding and attempted to overtake another vehicle from the wrong side of the road. In the process, the SUV rammed into a stationary truck.
Further details were provided by the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) in Ogun State. TRACE spokesperson, Babatunde Akinbiyi, explained that the vehicle suffered a tyre burst due to excessive speed, which caused the driver to lose control.
“From the preliminary investigation that was conducted, there was definitely over-speeding on the part of the SUV Anthony Joshua was travelling in,” Akinbiyi said.
“In the course of that, the front tyre on the passenger side burst. That led to loss of control before the vehicle swerved and rammed into the stationary truck. There was excessive speed,” he added.
Road safety officials said the combination of speeding, wrongful overtaking, and tyre failure led to the tragic outcome.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed on Thursday that the driver of the vehicle is now in police custody.
“The driver of the Lexus SUV is currently in custody in connection with the Anthony Joshua accident case,” Babaseyi said in a statement.
He added that investigations are ongoing and assured members of the public that the police would thoroughly examine all aspects of the incident.
Shortly after the accident occurred, the police had promised to carry out a full investigation to determine responsibility and ensure that justice is served.
After the crash, Anthony Joshua was quickly rushed to Duchess International Hospital in Lagos for medical attention. As of the latest update, there has been no official statement on the extent of his injuries, but sources say he is receiving treatment.
The bodies of the two deceased passengers were deposited at the Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu, Ogun State.
Family members, friends, and fans of the victims have continued to express grief over the incident, while messages of support have poured in for Joshua from across Nigeria and beyond.
Anthony Joshua is one of the most successful boxers to come out of Nigeria. Though born and raised in the United Kingdom, he has strong Nigerian roots and is widely celebrated at home.
He won an Olympic gold medal for Great Britain in 2012 and later became a two-time unified world heavyweight champion. Over the years, Joshua has remained a source of pride for many Nigerians and Africans, inspiring young people through his sporting achievements.
His involvement in a fatal road accident has therefore drawn wide public attention, with many Nigerians closely following developments around the case.
The Lagos–Ibadan Expressway is one of the busiest roads in Nigeria and has witnessed numerous accidents over the years. Despite ongoing reconstruction work and safety campaigns, the highway remains dangerous, especially due to speeding, reckless driving, and the presence of broken-down vehicles.
Road safety agencies have repeatedly warned motorists to obey speed limits, avoid dangerous overtaking, and ensure their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on long journeys.
The news of the accident has sparked conversations across social media and in public spaces, with many Nigerians expressing sadness over the loss of lives and concern for Joshua’s health.
Some members of the public have also called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and better monitoring of speeding on major highways to prevent similar tragedies.
Others have urged drivers, regardless of status or wealth, to obey traffic rules and drive responsibly.
With the driver now in police custody, legal experts say the next steps will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation. If negligence is established, appropriate charges may be filed in line with the law.
The police have assured the public that updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.