Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has publicly shared his grief following a tragic road accident in Ogun State that involved British-Nigerian heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua. The crash, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in two fatalities and left several others, including Joshua, with injuries.
Atiku's Message of Solidarity and Condolence
In a post on his verified social media account, Atiku stated he was "deeply saddened" to learn about the incident in the Makun area of the state. He offered prayers for the swift recovery of the boxer. "I stand in full solidarity with him during this difficult moment and pray for his swift and complete recovery," the former presidential candidate wrote.
He also extended his heartfelt sympathies to the families who lost loved ones. "My heartfelt condolences go to the families and loved ones of the two individuals who tragically lost their lives in the accident. May their souls rest in peace, and may their families find comfort and strength in this time of sorrow," Atiku added.
Details of the Ogun Expressway Accident
The Ogun State Police Command officially confirmed the accident, stating that two people died. All injured persons, including Anthony Joshua, were transported to a hospital for medical attention, though the specific facility was not disclosed.
An eyewitness at the scene, Adeniyi Orojo, provided details to the press, indicating the collision involved two vehicles: a Lexus and a Pajero. According to Orojo, Joshua was seated directly behind the driver in the Lexus, with another passenger beside him and one next to the driver, making four occupants in that vehicle. His security team was reportedly following in a separate car.
The accident happened along the busy Ogun-Lagos expressway. Police sources have described Joshua's injuries as minor and confirmed he is "fine." Visuals from the scene circulating online show a significantly damaged vehicle, but authorities are still investigating the precise cause of the crash.
Joshua's Nigerian Holiday After Netflix Victory
The 36-year-old boxer, who has family roots in Sagamu, Ogun State, was in Nigeria on holiday. This visit followed his highly publicised victory over Jake Paul in a Netflix-streamed superfight in Miami. While Joshua, a former two-time world champion, was expected to win quickly, the bout extended to the sixth round before being stopped.
Despite some criticism about the fight's pace, Joshua emerged victorious. He used his post-fight interview to challenge fellow heavyweight Tyson Fury, reigniting talks of a potential blockbuster showdown. Investigations into the circumstances of the Ogun road accident are ongoing.
