Anthony Joshua injured as car crash in Nigeria kills two of his close team members

Anthony Joshua, the British two‑time former world heavyweight champion, was involved in a serious road collision in Nigeria on Monday, December 29, 2025, and is in hospital in stable condition after sustaining minor injuries. The crash happened on the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway, around 11:00 a.m. local time, when the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua collided with a stationary truck, authorities said. Two people, identified by his promoter as Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, were pronounced dead at the scene.

What happened, in brief

Initial accounts from the Federal Road Safety Corps and local police say the vehicle lost control during an overtaking maneuver and struck a stationary truck on the roadside. Eyewitness footage circulating on social media showed a badly damaged SUV and Joshua being helped from the wreckage, visibly in pain. Matchroom Boxing, Joshua’s promoter, said he was taken to hospital for checks and would remain under observation.

Key facts:

• Date: December 29, 2025, around 11:00 a.m. local time.
• Location: Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway, near Makun and the Sagamu interchange, Ogun State, Nigeria.
• Vehicle: A Lexus SUV carrying five adult males, according to officials.
• Casualties: 2 people killed, two uninjured, and Joshua plus the driver treated in hospital.

With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members have tragically passed away.

Who were the victims and those involved

Matchroom named the two people who died as Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, described as close friends and members of Joshua’s training setup. Reports describe Ghami as involved in strength and conditioning work, while Ayodele was listed as a trainer. Other passengers included security or team staff, some of whom were reported uninjured.

Family members, promoter Eddie Hearn, and national figures offered immediate condolences. Nigeria’s president spoke with Joshua in hospital and conveyed sympathy to the families.

Official statements and differing details

Multiple official voices have been public. Matchroom confirmed the deaths and Joshua’s hospitalisation, asking for privacy. The Ogun State Police Command provided a timeline and confirmed the vehicle, and the Federal Road Safety Corps highlighted preliminary findings pointing to excessive speed and an unsafe overtaking maneuver as likely factors. At least one police official, quoted in several reports, suggested a burst tyre may have played a role, illustrating early differences in how the incident is being described as investigators gather evidence.

Why the accounts differ

• Early reports often rely on immediate witness testimony and preliminary statements from different agencies, which can vary in emphasis.
• One agency may highlight speed and overtaking as contributing factors, while an on‑scene officer may point to mechanical failure as a possible cause.
• Investigations at crash scenes evolve as forensic work, vehicle inspections, and witness interviews are completed.

Investigation and next steps

Authorities have said a formal investigation is underway, and the crash site was secured for forensic examination. Local police noted bodies were conveyed to a morgue, and the FRSC released images and preliminary findings. Investigators will typically examine:

• vehicle damage and tyre condition,
• skid marks and road surface evidence,
• the positioning of the stationary vehicle struck,
• witness testimony and any dashcam or CCTV footage,
• mobile phone and telematics data, if available.

```text
Preliminary investigative steps (typical):
1) Photograph and document scene and vehicles
2) Inspect tyres, brakes and mechanical systems
3) Measure and map skid marks and final resting positions
4) Interview drivers, passengers and witnesses
5) Review CCTV, dashcam and phone footage
6) Autopsy and toxicology for deceased, as required
```

Reactions from different quarters

Reactions have come from the boxing world, Nigerian officials, and social media. Promoter Eddie Hearn expressed sorrow and called for privacy for the families. Boxing peers sent messages of support and shock. The Nigerian president spoke directly with Joshua to offer condolences and to check on his health.

Public reaction has been split between expressions of sympathy, concern for road safety on a notoriously busy expressway, and questions about how the crash occurred. Some commentators urged restraint until investigators release a full report, while others pointed to broader infrastructure and enforcement issues that make such highways hazardous.

What this means for Joshua’s plans

Joshua had returned to the ring earlier in December and had just beaten an opponent, raising talk about a possible 2026 fight with a long‑time rival. Those plans are now uncertain, as priority shifts to recovery and the immediate human toll of the crash. Matchroom has confirmed there will be no further comment while families process the loss.

Wider context, and the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway

The Lagos‑Ibadan route is one of Nigeria’s busiest corridors, carrying commercial and private traffic between Lagos and inland cities. Officials have pointed to speeding and unsafe overtaking as common causes of serious crashes on the route. The FRSC’s immediate comments after this collision reiterated that pattern, and officials said their teams responded swiftly to the scene.

Multiple viewpoints and remaining questions

• Authorities have floated speed and unsafe overtaking, and at least one official mentioned a tyre issue, which shows the inquiry is at an early stage.
• Matchroom has focused on the human impact, naming the two deceased and requesting privacy for the families.
• Observers and road safety advocates point to systemic factors that increase risks on major highways, including enforcement gaps and roadside hazards.

Key questions investigators will address include who was driving, whether vehicle maintenance or tyre condition played a role, whether excessive speed was a primary factor, and whether any external obstruction or road condition contributed to the collision.

Conclusion

Anthony Joshua is reported in stable condition after a crash that has cost two of his close associates their lives, an outcome that has shocked the boxing community and drawn national attention in Nigeria. Official investigations are continuing, and multiple agencies are collecting evidence to establish the exact sequence of events. For now, the immediate priorities are medical care for the injured, support for grieving families, and a thorough, transparent inquiry into what went wrong on a busy stretch of road.

If you are seeking updates, watch for formal releases from Matchroom, the Ogun State police, and the Federal Road Safety Corps as the investigation progresses.