The Chairman of the Ogun State Deaf Athletics Association, Chief Abijo Gbenga, on behalf of the entire sporting family, has expressed deep sorrow and heartfelt sympathy to the families, friends, and associates of the victims of a tragic road accident involving world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, who narrowly escaped death on Monday.
The fatal mishap occurred along the ever-busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, within the Makun axis of Ogun State.
The crash tragically claimed the lives of Abdul Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, throwing the sporting community and the general public into mourning.
Anthony Joshua, the British-Nigerian born boxing icon, was reportedly travelling from Lagos to Sagamu alongside three other individuals when the accident occurred.
Preliminary reports indicate that the crash claimed the lives of two male foreign nationals, who died on the spot. Their remains have since been deposited at the Livewell Morgue in Sagamu.
Security personnel attached to Anthony Joshua’s convoy swiftly rescued him and the driver of the vehicle from the wreckage. Both were immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the sport utility vehicle conveying the occupants rammed into a stationary truck along the expressway.
While the badly damaged SUV has been evacuated to the Sagamu Motor Traffic Division (MTD) office, efforts are ongoing to tow the truck involved to the same location to enable a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Reacting to the development, Chief Gbenga described the accident as deeply painful and unfortunate, especially with the loss of innocent lives and the injuries sustained by others.
“Our hearts go out to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident, which the sporting family considers a devastating loss,” he said.
“As we mourn collectively, we pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries. May Almighty God grant the families left behind the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
The Ogun State Deaf Athletics Association joined the rest of the nation in mourning the victims, while expressing gratitude that the celebrated boxer survived the crash, describing his escape as nothing short of divine intervention.
