The Deputy Head of Mission of the British High Commission, Simon Field, has paid a hospital visit to world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua following a road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway that resulted in two fatalities.
The visit was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Ogun State Governor, Kayode Akinmade. According to the statement, Mr Field met with Joshua and also held discussions with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as British authorities continued to follow developments surrounding the incident.
The statement noted that the British High Commission had been formally informed of the accident and that officials remained in close contact with the hospital and the Ogun State Government. It added that the families of the deceased had also been reached through the High Commission.
The accident occurred around midday on Monday and involved a Toyota Lexus vehicle conveying Joshua and three other occupants. Two passengers were confirmed dead. They were identified as Ayodele Kelvin Olu, a 36-year-old Nigerian-British citizen, and Gami Sina, a 36-year-old British national.
Following the crash, Governor Abiodun visited the Lagos hospital where Joshua was receiving treatment and was later joined by Governor Sanwo-Olu. Both governors reportedly stayed at the facility for several hours to monitor the situation and ensure that the boxer received appropriate medical attention.
Governor Abiodun said he immediately proceeded to the hospital after learning of the incident and personally supervised Joshua’s treatment alongside his Lagos State counterpart. He said they remained at the hospital for more than seven hours to oversee the care being provided.
Other senior officials who visited the hospital included the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade.
The Ogun State Government stated that Joshua was in stable condition and receiving adequate medical care, expressing satisfaction with the professionalism of the medical team handling the case.
President Bola Tinubu was also briefed on the accident. According to the state government, the President spoke separately with Joshua, his mother and Governor Abiodun, during which he conveyed his condolences and sympathies.
The President was quoted as saying that the tragedy had cast a shadow over the period and called for unity and mutual support in the face of the loss.
Authorities have ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, with assurances from the Ogun State Government that the findings would be made public at the conclusion of the probe. Further updates on Joshua’s condition and related developments, the government said, would be communicated as necessary.
