The Ogun State Government has confirmed that the two people who lost their lives in a fatal road accident involving world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua were foreign nationals, as details continued to emerge from the tragic incident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
In a statement issued on Monday, the State government expressed deep condolences to the families, friends and associates of the victims, describing the crash as painful and deeply unfortunate. The accident occurred on Monday around the Makun axis of the busy expressway and claimed the lives of two men who reportedly died instantly at the scene.
Preliminary findings indicated that Joshua was travelling from Lagos to Sagamu with three other individuals when the sport utility vehicle conveying them rammed into a stationary truck parked along the highway. The identities of the deceased, described as male foreign nationals, have not yet been officially released.
Their bodies have been deposited at the Livewell Morgue in Sagamu, while Joshua and the driver of the vehicle were rescued by security operatives attached to his convoy and rushed to a hospital, where they are currently receiving medical treatment. Other occupants of the vehicle were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries and are also under medical care.
The damaged vehicle has been evacuated to the Sagamu Motor Traffic Division office, as arrangements continue to tow the truck involved to the same location to facilitate a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Lamenting the loss of lives, the Ogun State Government urged motorists to exercise heightened caution and strictly adhere to traffic regulations, particularly during the festive season when traffic volume is typically high. Road safety officials and other security agencies were also called upon to intensify patrols and enforcement across the state to safeguard lives and property.
The government extended its sympathies to the bereaved families, praying for the repose of the souls of the departed and a speedy recovery for those injured in the accident.