iDeemlawfulAnthony Joshua’s uncle says bystanders stole the boxer’s phone at the scene of the fatal road accident involving his convoy.
Anthony Joshua’s uncle says bystanders stole the boxer’s phone at the scene of the fatal road accident involving his convoy.
January 3, 2026
News
He said the family did not immediately learn about the incident through social media, noting that the information came later through a phone call.
Adedamola Joshua, an uncle of the Nigerian-British world boxing champion Anthony Joshua, has spoken about the shock and trauma the family is experiencing following the tragic crash that claimed the lives of two of the boxer’s close friends.
He explained that the family did not first hear about the incident through social media, adding that the news eventually reached them via a phone call.
MOST READ ARTICLES
In an interview with PUNCH, Adedamola Joshua detailed how the accident became known to the family and raised issues surrounding emergency response, public behaviour at accident scenes and road safety in Nigeria.
“Well, some of us are not really used to social media, so we didn’t get to hear of it on time. But around 1 pm, one of my church members, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, called to inform me of the accident and it was like I had never in my life heard that people were involved in an accident.
“How can Anthony Joshua be involved in an accident? It sounded so impossible, but it actually happened; it is unfortunate,” he said.
He noted that the development deeply unsettled the family, especially as the boxer had arrived in Nigeria only hours earlier and was travelling to Sagamu to visit relatives.
“It has really left us in shock because this is not the first, the second, or the third time he has been coming home, so what happened? Why now?
“He just arrived in the country six hours ago on that day, and was eager to see his family in Sagamu, only for things to go the way they went,” he said.
Adedamola Joshua added that the boxer deliberately chose to spend time with family instead of meeting political leaders or prominent individuals.
“He could have decided to say that he wanted to spend some time with the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, or other influential Nigerians, but he said that he wanted to be with his family in Sagamu. It is really painful that such an incident happened,” he added.
He further explained that Anthony Joshua’s festive visits to Nigeria were routine and not tied to any special occasion, adding that the family’s annual gathering had ended after the death of a senior relative who coordinated it.
On the location of the boxer’s parents, he clarified that they were largely based in Nigeria, particularly his father, while his mother divided her time between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Speaking on the emergency response, Adedamola Joshua criticised what he described as poor handling of emergencies.
“I want to condemn the lackadaisical attitude of our government towards anything emergency. To see Joshua crossing the median after the accident when he was supposed to be on a stretcher was distressing,” he said.
He added, “If it had been abroad, a helicopter would have arrived at the scene within five minutes for the evacuation of the victims of the accident.”
He also condemned the circulation of graphic images from the crash online and called for the deployment of ambulances along major highways prone to accidents.
“It is not enough to have the officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps checking vehicle documents; let there be ambulances too, stationed along this road,” he said.
Reacting to reports that bystanders filmed the scene instead of offering help, he criticised such conduct and alleged that valuables were taken.
“Some Nigerians act badly at accident scenes. When they are supposed to help, you will see them bringing out their phones to make videos and even steal from the victims. That is not right,” he said, adding that Anthony Joshua’s phone was reportedly stolen during the confusion.
He called for greater public awareness on emergency response and the use of toll-free emergency numbers.
Assessing the government’s role, however, Adedamola Joshua acknowledged the assistance provided after the crash.
“The government has sincerely done its best. Governors Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Ogun and Lagos states, respectively, have ensured that the boxer received the very best medical service,” he said.
He also revealed that President Bola Tinubu had personally contacted the boxer and his parents.
“President Bola Tinubu is equally in touch with our son; he has spoken to him and the parents and assured them of the government’s support at all times,” he added.
On the driver involved, he said he had no personal knowledge of him but questioned claims of reckless driving.
“For a driver to have been said to be on top speed and overtake at the same time, then it leaves much to be desired of such a driver,” he said.
He suggested that authorities should provide trained drivers and security details for national figures like Anthony Joshua during visits to the country.
Reflecting on the effect of the tragedy on the family’s festive season, he said celebrations were replaced by grief.
“How can you celebrate when your son is in the hospital and two of his friends who were in the country to spend the vacation with him are being taken back in body bags?” he asked.
He described the incident as one of the most painful moments the Joshua family had experienced in decades.
While expressing relief over the boxer’s discharge from hospital, he said the family remained deeply affected by the loss.
“We heaved a sigh of relief when we heard that he had been discharged from the hospital; we thank God, but we thought about how good it would have been if his two friends had survived the crash too,” he said.
On concerns that the incident could affect Anthony Joshua’s career or willingness to return home, Adedamola Joshua said the fears were understandable but remained optimistic.
“Our prayer is that he will continue to grow stronger and come out of this trying time much stronger than ever before,” he said.
He concluded by extending condolences to the bereaved families.
“On behalf of the Joshuas at home and in the diaspora, we register our condolences with the families and associates of the friends of our beloved son, whose lives came to an abrupt end during the accident. We pray that the souls of the departed will rest in peace.”