Police authorities have taken into custody the driver attached to the vehicle carrying former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, following a deadly road crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The arrest comes days after the accident claimed the lives of two members of Joshua’s team and sparked widespread public concern.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed that the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the crash is now being held as part of an ongoing investigation into the incident.
The police said the arrest is to allow for a full probe into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.
The accident occurred on Monday along the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when the Lexus SUV conveying Joshua and members of his entourage collided with a stationary truck. The impact of the crash led to the death of two close associates of the boxer.
Those who lost their lives were identified as Kevin Latif Ayodele, Joshua’s personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach.
Their deaths were confirmed at the scene, while other occupants of the vehicle sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Anthony Joshua, who was also in the vehicle at the time of the accident, was rushed to a private hospital in Lagos for medical attention.
He was later discharged late Wednesday night after doctors confirmed that he was clinically stable and fit to continue recovery from home.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps disclosed that five adult males were involved in the crash. According to the agency, two people died, one person was injured, while two others escaped without injuries.
Preliminary findings by road safety officials pointed to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking as major factors that led to the accident.
The FRSC noted that these violations remain some of the leading causes of fatal crashes on Nigerian highways, especially on major routes like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, Oluseyi Babaseyi, stated via his official platform, “The driver of the Lexus SUV is currently in custody in connection with the Anthony Joshua accident case. Investigations are ongoing.”
Police sources said further actions would be determined after investigations are concluded, adding that all necessary procedures would be followed in line with the law.
