Adedamola Joshua, an uncle of Nigerian-British boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has said bystanders stole the boxer’s phone at the scene of the fatal road accident that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
Speaking with PUNCH, Joshua described the shock and trauma the family has faced since the incident, noting that they did not immediately learn about the crash through social media but via a phone call.
“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,” he said.
“How can Anthony Joshua be involved in an accident? It sounded so impossible, but it actually happened; it is unfortunate,” he added.
According to him, the incident was particularly devastating as the boxer had arrived in Nigeria just hours earlier and was travelling to Sagamu to spend time with family members.
“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.
“He could have decided to spend time with the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, or other influential Nigerians, but he said he wanted to be with his family in Sagamu. It is really painful that such an incident happened,” he said.
Adedamola Joshua criticised what he described as a weak emergency response system, expressing concern over how the boxer was handled after the crash.
“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.
“If it had been abroad, a helicopter would have arrived at the scene within five minutes.”
“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,” he said, alleging that Anthony Joshua’s phone was taken during the chaos.
Calling for better emergency preparedness, he urged authorities to station ambulances along accident-prone highways and intensify public education on emergency response.
“It is not enough to have officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps checking vehicle documents; let there be ambulances too, stationed along this road,” he said.
Despite his criticism, Adedamola Joshua commended the response of government officials following the accident.
“The government has sincerely done its best. Governors Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu 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 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.
Reflecting on the tragedy, he said the family’s festive season was overshadowed by grief.
“How can you celebrate when your son is in the hospital and two of his friends are being taken back in body bags?” he asked.
While expressing relief that the boxer had been discharged from hospital, he said the family remained deeply traumatised by the loss.
“We thank God that he has been discharged, but we thought about how good it would have been if his two friends had survived the crash too,” 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. We pray that the souls of the departed will rest in peace.”