The incident occurred around 11 a.m. local time near Makun, close to the Sagamu Interchange, when a Lexus SUV carrying Joshua as a rear-seat passenger collided with a stationary commercial truck.
According to preliminary reports from Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the crash resulted from excessive speed and a wrongful overtaking maneuver, though some accounts cite a burst tire causing the driver to lose control.
Five adult male were involved in the collision. Joshua sustained minor injuries, described by authorities as bruises and shock and was rescued from the wreckage before being transported to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
Two individuals died at the scene, reportedly foreign nationals, while the remaining two passengers emerged unhurt.
Eyewitnesses reported that Joshua appeared dazed and in pain as bystanders assisted him from the heavily damaged vehicle.
Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo confirmed the details, stating that a full investigation is underway.
“The vehicle conveying Mr. Joshua was involved in the accident under circumstances currently being probed,” he said.
The FRSC echoed this, emphasizing road safety concerns on the busy expressway, often dubbed one of Nigeria’s most dangerous due to frequent high-speed incidents and poorly parked heavy vehicles.
Joshua, 36, was in Nigeria on holiday following his dominant sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19 in Miami, a fight that drew over 30 million viewers on Netflix.
The win marked a resurgence for the two-time former unified heavyweight champion after a 15-month layoff.
Reactions poured in swiftly from the boxing world. Jake Paul, despite his recent defeat and reported double jaw fracture from the bout, posted on X: “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn, speaking to media outlets, expressed relief: “We awoke to this news and are trying to contact Anthony, but from images seen, he appears OK. We’re awaiting further updates.”
Joshua’s family described the news as a “shock,” with one relative telling reporters the boxer was en route to visit relatives from Lagos when the crash occurred.
Of Nigerian heritage through his parents, Joshua spent part of his childhood in the region, attending boarding school in nearby Ikenne.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has long been plagued by fatal accidents, with over 1,200 incidents reported in early 2025 alone. Authorities have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of speed limits and better roadside regulations.
