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.

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.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has granted property owners who violated land use regulations across parts of Abuja a final 14-day grace period to settle a ₦5 million violation fee.

Earlier in September, the FCT Administration sanctioned several property owners for converting their residential buildings to commercial use without due approval. The affected individuals were given 30 days to regularise their property titles in line with the law.

According to a statement released on Sunday by Lere Olayinka, the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, the initial grace period expired, prompting Wike to approve an additional 14 days, starting Tuesday, November 11, to allow defaulters to make payments and comply with the required land use conversion process.

The statement read: “The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has magnanimously granted a final grace period of 14 calendar days from Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for all affected allottees/holders of properties along the said streets/locations to comply with the terms and conditions of the approval for land use change/conversion.”

It further warned that “failure to comply within the stated 14-calendar-day grace period will result in enforcement actions by the FCT Administration.”

The areas affected by the directive include Gana Street and Usuma Street in Maitama, Yakubu Gowon Crescent in Asokoro, Aminu Kano Crescent and Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent in Wuse II, as well as Ladoke Akintola Boulevard, Gimbiya Street, and Onitsha Street in Garki II. Other affected streets in Garki I include Ogbomosho Street, Lafia Close, Yola Street, Abriba Close, Danbatta Street, Ringim Close, and Ilorin Street.

Olayinka added that property owners who comply and regularise their land use would be issued new title documents to reflect the updated status of their properties.

He said: “The Honourable Minister has, in addition, graciously approved the issuance of new title documents (Statutory Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy) in favour of the affected property owners, reflecting the updated land use of the properties for a fresh term of 99 years, upon fulfilling all necessary conditions.”

The statement clarified that the current enforcement does not include properties whose titles were previously revoked for non-development, non-payment of ground rent, or other infractions.

Among the affected property owners are Abdullahi Ganduje, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Olagunsoye Oyinlola, ex-Governor of Osun State; Atanda Fatai-Williams and Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, both former Justices of the Supreme Court; as well as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

Wike’s latest directive reinforces the FCT Administration’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with Abuja’s urban development and land use policies.