Adedamola Joshua, an uncle of the Nigerian-British world boxing champion Anthony Joshua, has described the shock and trauma the family is grappling with following the fatal accident that claimed the lives of two of the boxer’s close friends.

He said the family did not immediately learn about the incident through social media, noting that the information came later through a phone call.

Speaking with PUNCH, Adedamola Joshua recounted how news of the accident reached the family and raised concerns about emergency response, public conduct 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.

According to him, the incident has left the family devastated, especially as the boxer had only arrived in Nigeria hours earlier and was heading to Sagamu to spend time with 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 had chosen to spend time with family rather than meet with political leaders or other influential figures.

“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 explained that Anthony Joshua’s visits to Nigeria during the Yuletide were customary and not linked to any special event, noting that the family’s annual gathering had been discontinued following the death of a senior family member who coordinated it.

On the whereabouts of the boxer’s parents, he clarified that they were largely based in Nigeria, especially his father, while his mother alternated between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Commenting on emergency response after the accident, Adedamola Joshua criticised what he described as a weak emergency system.

“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 decried the circulation of graphic images of the accident on social media and called for more ambulances to be stationed along accident-prone highways.

“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 recorded videos instead of assisting victims, he condemned such actions, alleging that personal belongings were stolen at the scene.

“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 chaos.

He called for improved public enlightenment on emergency response and awareness of emergency toll-free numbers.

Assessing the role of government, however, Adedamola Joshua commended the support provided by authorities following the incident.

“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 disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had personally reached out to 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 in the accident, he said he had no personal knowledge of him but questioned reports 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 the government should provide professional drivers and security details for national icons like Anthony Joshua whenever they are in the country.

Reflecting on the impact of the tragedy on the family’s festive mood, he said celebrations were overshadowed 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 experiences the Joshua family had faced in decades.

While expressing relief over the boxer’s discharge from hospital, he said the family remained deeply traumatised by the loss of his friends.

“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 speculations that the accident could affect Anthony Joshua’s boxing career or discourage him from returning home, Adedamola Joshua said such fears were understandable but remained hopeful.

“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 offering condolences to the families of the deceased.

“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.”