Anthony Joshua miraculously escaped a fatal crash on Nigeria’s deadliest road where 73 people have died in just three months, as questions grow over how the SUV he was riding in smashed into a stationary truck.
The former world heavyweight champion, 36, was rushed to hospital in the African country on Monday after the accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun.
Two of his long-term friends – Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele – died sitting just inches away from him, adding to the dozens who have been killed on the road in recent months – making the boxer’s survival all the more astonishing.
The numbers paint a grim picture of the perils on Nigeria’s most dangerous road, with 73 deaths along that 127.6km (79-mile) stretch – 60km (37 miles) shorter than the M25 – in just three months earlier this year.
Over the past 27 months, 11,396 people have been involved in 1,557 crashes on the Expressway, including 645 fatalaties and 3,964 injured.
Nine were killed in one accident in February alone, while four people died in a crash along the stretch in March.
At least 1,593 people died on Nigeria’s roads in the first quarter of 2025 – just nine fewer than the number of fatalaties in the UK across the entirety of 2024.
All this despite the road being considered in good condition, The Guardian in Nigeria reports, with overspeeding and auto maintenance costs blamed for the accidents.
Reports have drawn attention to animals roaming as cars whizz past, as well as deep potholes and vehicles performing risky overtakes making driving a tricky task.
There is little police monitoring on the Expressway, with people ressembling officials standing on the roadside, in reality there to collect bribes.
The crash took place on the busy road, just a short distance from the junction for Sagamu – Joshua’s destination that day.
It is understood Joshua had been visiting family in Nigeria as part of a one-week holiday with a view to resuming training ahead of a bout in late March, prior to his proposed ‘mega-fight’ against Tyson Fury in September or October.
While the exact nature of Joshua’s injuries are currently unknown, it is thought to be highly doubtful that he will be in any shape for a quick ring return, despite his team insisting he is in ‘stable’ condition.
The possibility of rib and knee injury was floated by an individual in his inner circle, despite Nigerian authorities downplaying the scale of damage to Joshua.
There will also be the question of psychological trauma caused by the ordeal which saw two of his best friends die just inches away from him.
This aspect of the accident has prompted speculation the boxer might retire from the sport which has earned him a nine-figure fortune.
Videos taken roadside just moments after the collision showed Joshua grimacing in agony as he was helped from the mangled vehicle and moved to a police cruiser.
He was later seen in the front seat of the emergency vehicle speaking to officials.
Joshua was rushed to one of Nigeria’s best hospitals in the aftermath of the crash and had a visit from his mother shortly after his arrival.
According to local reports, the boxer is being treated at the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, named as the best private hospital in Nigeria for the past two years.
Nigeria’s president confirmed on Monday that Joshua’s mum had joined him at the hospital after calling the star.
The exclusive hospital boasts an elite service dubbed the Harley Street Practice, located on the sixth floor, which offers Duchess Royal Suites for VIP inpatients.
The hospital states that facilities offer a ‘unique hospitality experience to our clients, offering a combination of outstanding patient care with the luxury of five-star accommodation and privacy’.
Patients receive one-to-one care for 24-hours a day and have access to medical personnel and hospitality staff.
They also receive gourmet meals fully catered to their taste. The basic packages for the Royal Suite with ensuite bathroom facilities start at £2,000.
Earlier on Monday night officials in Nigeria confirmed to the Daily Mail that Joshua was ‘awake and conscious and had spoken with his family’ after the 36-year-old had been pulled from the wreckage of the crash.
Clips shared on social media by Joshua’s friend Ayodele – who trained Joshua and ran an account called Healthy Mindset – show himself and Ghami approaching the Lexus, before showing footage from the car driving across a bridge.
Joshua’s representative confirmed their deaths on Monday night, saying: ‘It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin “Lateef” Ayodele.
‘Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team.
‘We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news.’
Five men were involved in the collision in total, Nigerian road safety officials said this afternoon.
It is understood that Joshua was seated behind the driver, along with another passenger, when the crash occurred. His security detail followed behind the Lexus.
Authorities said the SUV is believed to have been travelling ‘beyond the legally prescribed speed limit’ and lost control while making ‘an overtaking manoeuvre’, before crashing into a truck parked on the side of the road.
The Daily Mail understands the car’s tyre burst when it swerved and hit the truck.
CP Lanre Ogunlowo, Commissioner of Ogun State Police, said: ‘I can confirm an accident occurred and Anthony Joshua has been taken to hospital.’
He added: ‘A vehicle rammed into a stationary vehicle. Unfortunately, there were two fatalities.
‘Anthony Joshua was treated by first-responders at the scene and then taken to hospital.’
A friend of Joshua’s said that ‘he’s okay but badly shaken up’.
‘Nobody knows quite what damage has been done, but was able to escape the wreckage,’ they added.
‘Others weren’t quite so lucky so it’s been a traumatic ordeal which he’s trying to process.’
