The family of world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has expressed deep concern over their inability to see the boxer following a tragic road accident on Monday along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

Speaking to journalists at the Sagamu family home in Ijokun on Tuesday, the boxer’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, described the news as a “rude shock” to the family.

He revealed that the family only learned of the accident after multiple calls from friends and well-wishers.

“Sincerely, the news that our son, Anthony Joshua, was involved in a fatal crash came to us as a rude shock,” he said. “We did not get to hear this terrible news on time until calls started coming in from people seeking confirmation. Anthony comes home three or four times a year, especially during the festive season, and it is usually a time to rejoice with family. This was completely unexpected.”

The uncle added that while the family has been in touch with Anthony Joshua’s parents—who are also in Nigeria—they have not been allowed to visit him at the undisclosed medical facility where he is receiving treatment.

“We are all eager to see him, even if only three of us are allowed, but we understand the need to protect him given his global status,” he said.

The crash claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s close friends and team members: Ayodele Kelvin Olu, 36, a Nigerian-British citizen, and Gami Sina, 36, a British citizen.

Joshua’s uncle expressed sorrow for their deaths, offering prayers for the bereaved families.

“We are really sad that two people who were very close to Joshua did not survive. Our hearts are with their families and associates. We pray that the Lord gives them strength to bear this painful loss,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps said on Tuesday it was awaiting the outcome of a full technical investigation into the crash.

Preliminary assessments suggest excessive speed as a major factor.

FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the accident occurred around 12 noon near the Sinoma axis of Sagamu and involved a black Lexus SUV, registered KRD 850 HN, colliding with a stationary truck.

“When you look at the impact of that crash, it is clear that the vehicle was likely exceeding the speed limit,” Ogungbemide said. “Although there was no speed-measuring device at the exact point of impact, trained officers can infer likely speed from the damage and force involved. Only a full technical investigation will determine the exact cause.”

“Emergency teams responded within three minutes,” Ogungbemide noted.

Political leaders and community groups have also reacted to the tragedy.

Ogun State 2023 PDP governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, described the incident as a “painful and sobering tragedy” that has cast a shadow over the season.

“Anthony Joshua remains a symbol of courage, discipline, resilience, and national pride. My thoughts and prayers are with him, the bereaved families, and all affected by this unfortunate incident,” Adebutu said.

Similarly, Sagamu Youth Association expressed profound sadness, offering prayers for Joshua’s swift recovery and for the families of the deceased.

“Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and loved ones of the departed during this moment of immeasurable grief,” said the association’s Public Relations Officer, Olakunle Popoola.

Following the crash, the Deputy Head of Mission of the British High Commission, Simon Field, visited Joshua at the Lagos hospital, while Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also monitored his condition.

President Bola Tinubu was briefed on the incident and spoke separately with Joshua and his mother to convey condolences.

As the family awaits permission to see the boxer, Nigerians continue to pray for Anthony Joshua’s recovery and for the swift conclusion of the FRSC’s investigation into the crash that has shocked both the local community and the sporting world.

In a landmark move set to redefine urban mobility and promote financial inclusion in Nigeria, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced a $100 million financing partnership scheme with CIG Motors, Lagride, and Lagos State Government.

By the partnership, tagged “Drive to Own”, UBA will be the key financier, offering loan subscriptions that will allow beneficiaries to own a CIG/Lagride vehicle by contributing an equity payment of just 10% of the total vehicle cost, with the remaining amount payable over a period of 48 months.

The scheme, which was unveiled during a ceremony in Alausa, Lagos, on Wednesday, is aimed at empowering 3,500 drivers in the state with transformative asset ownership opportunities, thus setting a new benchmark for structured credit in Africa’s mobility sector.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, who delivered the keynote remarks at the event, highlighted the bank’s visionary commitment to inclusive economic growth, fostering MSME development, and creating tangible opportunities for the younger generation. He said, “This partnership with Lagride is transformational. It will drive inclusivity for economic growth and ensure progress for everyone. We are committed to helping you, and please believe me, this is just the beginning.”

He took the opportunity to share a deeply personal testament about the power of opportunity: “My father started as a driver. I went to school thanks to that income… That will be the story of some of you, and even better,” he said.

Alawuba also emphasised UBA’s focus on solving immediate, on-the-ground challenges, adding, “I am personally looking at the immediate problems we have right here in Lagos as we will be connecting the initiative to broader urban development. Lagos will change because of us. And we will not stop in Lagos; we will move beyond.”

Echoing the GMD’s vision, UBA’s Head, SME Banking, Babatunde Ajayi, noted that this partnership is built on a fundamental rethinking of traditional banking models.

“Not every business has a shop. Some businesses have wheels. Every commercial driver is running a business, yet they have remained outside formal finance. We did not ask if they fit our old structures; we designed credit that fits their reality, and that is the way we work at UBA,” Ajayi added.

The Chairman, Lagride, Diana Chen, who noted that the company has built a data-driven and credit-ready mobility platform for drivers, stressed that transportation is the backbone of Africa’s economic future.

“Lagride now stands as the most structured, data-driven, and credit-ready mobility platform in Nigeria,” Chen said. “This data enables UBA to evaluate driver performance with accuracy and confidence, creating a new standard for bankable driver financing,” he said.

The partnership strategically aligns the strengths of the three organizations, with UBA providing the financial backbone, CIG acting as a trusted provider of viable business opportunities, and Lagride offering a technology-driven platform that guarantees a sustainable and dignified livelihood for its driver-partners.

The Bauchi state police command has confirmed that five officers were killed and two others injured during a gun battle with suspected bandits in Sabon Sara village, located in Darazo LGA of the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the command said the incident occurred while its tactical units were on an intelligence-led visibility patrol on Saturday. The personnel were deployed to forestall possible farmer-herder clashes in the area when they were ambushed by unidentified youths.

According to the police, the attack happened around 11:30 a.m. and involved operatives from the rapid response squad (RRS), 10 PMF Bauchi, the anti-kidnapping unit (AKU), and the state intelligence department (SID).

The officers who lost their lives were identified as Ahmad Muhammad, a DSP with the SID; Mustapha Muhammad, an ASP from 10 PMF; Amarhel Yunusa, an inspector with 10 PMF; Idris Ahmed, also an inspector with 10 PMF; and Isah Muazu, a corporal attached to the AKU.

Two other officers — Isah Musa and Yusuf Gambo, both inspectors with the SID — sustained injuries during the ambush.

ASP Ahmed Wakil, spokesperson of the command, said reinforcements were dispatched to the location immediately after the unit came under attack.

“Upon receiving the report, the DPO in Darazo led a team to the scene and successfully evacuated both the injured and the deceased officers,” he said. He added that the injured were taken to the General Hospital in Darazo, while the remains of the fallen officers were deposited at the morgue.

Wakil stated that several of the attackers were neutralised during the exchange of fire and that efforts were underway to trace others who fled the scene. He said the command remained committed to apprehending those responsible for the killings.

Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commissioner of police in Bauchi, visited the location for an on-the-spot assessment and also met with the families of the slain officers.

“These brave men paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” he said. He noted that despite the growing security challenges, the command would continue to operate “fierce, tireless, and relentless” in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property in the state.

The command advised residents to stay calm and continue cooperating with security agencies as operations in the area intensify.