A crucial eyewitness account has emerged, shedding new light on the tragic road accident that claimed the lives of two friends of world-renowned Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua. The incident, which occurred recently, has been the subject of intense public discussion and speculation.
Eyewitness Video Contradicts Initial Narrative
In a video shared by journalist @deji_lambo on TikTok, a man present at the scene provided a detailed explanation of the events. The witness firmly stated that the vehicle carrying Anthony Joshua and his companions was not responsible for causing the collision. Instead, he pointed to another car that allegedly triggered the accident and immediately fled, leaving behind a scene of tragedy.
The eyewitness was quoted saying in pidgin English: "No be them cause the accident, the one wey cause the accident don go." This statement directly challenges any circulating narratives that placed blame on Joshua's driver or the boxer's entourage for reckless driving.
How a Parked Truck Prevented Further Tragedy
The account also highlighted a critical detail that potentially averted an even worse outcome. The witness explained that a truck was parked at the site of the accident. He asserted that if not for the presence of that truck, the car carrying Joshua's friends would have plunged into a drainage gutter.
"If no be the truck, e go enter inside gutter. Na the truth wey dey there he mount for the bim, na wetin cause the accident. As the accident happened, immediately, the two white men die," the witness added, confirming the immediate fatality of the two friends at the scene.
Public Reaction and Calls for Clarity
The video sparked a wave of reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing confusion over the witness's pidgin English account and others analyzing the implications of his testimony.
User Emjay Maribe commented on the potential official narrative, stating: "The Nigerian government won't be happy about this revelation looking at the fact that they were already pushing the narrative that AJ Car was speeding!" This reflects a sentiment of public distrust towards initial official reports.
Other users, like KoyacrownSolar, called for accounts from the primary survivors: "I believe it's only Anthony Joshua and the driver who can give a clear explanation as to what happened." Meanwhile, Emetomo Monday mandyplumbing advocated for improved road safety infrastructure, stressing: "Government should make it up all road must have a street camera."
To clarify the pidgin statements for an international audience, user Lily explained: "for those of u that don't understand he meant another car caused the accident and ran off just like a hit and run situation." User Jenny Law provided further interpretation: "He said that the car which overtook AJ’s car caused the accident and sped off."
Broader Context and Similar Incident
This tragic event is further contextualized by a separate but related report. Legit.ng noted that a young Nigerian man recently came forward to share that he had an accident at the exact same location where Joshua lost his friends. That previous crash left him severely injured and incapacitated for days, hinting at potentially dangerous conditions at that particular spot.
In a contrasting opinion also reported, another Nigerian man on platform X blamed Joshua's driver for the accident, citing excessive speed and loss of control. He also suggested the passengers should have cautioned the driver. This highlights the conflicting perspectives surrounding the case.
The accident resulted in the death of two of Anthony Joshua's friends, while the boxer himself sustained minor injuries. The emergence of this eyewitness testimony adds a significant layer to the investigation and public understanding, emphasizing the importance of witness accounts and thorough investigation before conclusions are drawn. The call for widespread installation of street cameras, as echoed by netizens, remains a pressing issue for Nigerian road safety.
