British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has released a statement on Monday morning after two of his close friends were killed and injured in a car accident in Nigeria.
The Ogun State Police Commissioner, Lanre Ogunlowo, announced that the former world heavyweight boxing champion was rushed to an undisclosed hospital after colliding with a stationary vehicle on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway at about 11am. The driver of Joshua’s car was also injured.
Joshua’s official spokesperson said: “It is with deep sadness that we confirm the death of Shina Gami and Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele following a traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria earlier today.”
“Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team. We respectfully ask that the family be given space and privacy at this time as they process this truly devastating and shocking news. Anthony was injured in the accident and was taken to hospital for evaluation and treatment, but is in stable condition and will remain there for observation.”
Gami served as the strength and conditioning coach and Ayodele served as the trainer for Joshua’s camp. Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn said: “My heart is heavy. Two great people. May Sheena and Ratz (Ayodele) rest in eternal peace. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with you all.”
“The vehicle, a Lexus SUV, carrying Mr. Joshua was involved in an accident under circumstances which are currently under investigation. Mr. Joshua, who was seated in the back seat of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and is being treated along with another injured person,” an Ogun police command statement said.
“Unfortunately, two other passengers in the vehicle lost their lives at the scene. The deceased were taken to Livewell Hospital Mortuary, Sagamu. The Ogun State Police Command extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and assures the public that a thorough investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the accident.”
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also expressed his condolences. “I spoke with AJ and offered my personal condolences on the loss of two of his closest associates in a recent accident. I prayed with him for a full and speedy recovery.”
A video shared by local news station Punch showed Joshua sitting in the left rear seat of the damaged car. A second video showed him walking slowly and getting into a police vehicle.
Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps said in a post on X that it arrived at the scene within three minutes of receiving the call. “A total of five adult males were involved in this accident. Unfortunately, two lost their lives and one was injured, but the other two escaped unharmed. Anthony Joshua was rescued alive with minor injuries.”
The agency added: “Preliminary findings indicate that a Lexus Jeep, which was suspected of traveling in excess of the legal speed limit in the corridor, lost control during an overtaking maneuver and collided with a parked truck that was tightly packed on the shoulder of the road.”
“The main causes of accidents are overspeeding and unreasonable overtaking, which are serious traffic violations and remain the leading causes of fatal accidents on Nigeria’s highways.”
Photos shared by the agency with X showed a black car with severe damage to the front end and a truck covered in blue tarpaulin on a downward sloping lawn verge, with what appeared to be a dent in the left side of the rear.
Joshua is the son of British-Nigerian parents with family ties to the town of Sagamu, about 30 miles north of Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos. According to police, the accident occurred on the northbound Ibadan side of the expressway near the junction to Sagamu.
The 36-year-old attended boarding school in Eikenne, 83 miles from the crash site, before returning to the UK at the age of 12.
On December 20, after a 15-month break, he knocked out YouTuber Jake Paul in the sixth round of a boxing match that was streamed live on Netflix. He was expected to face fellow Brit and long-time rival, former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, next year.
In a post to X referring to the accident, Paul wrote: “Life is more important than boxing. I am praying for the lives lost, AJ and everyone affected by today’s unfortunate accident.”
Early on Monday morning, Joshua posted a video of himself playing ping pong on his Instagram Story without disclosing the location.
