Adedamola Joshua, an uncle of Nigerian-British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua, has spoken publicly about the emotional toll and troubling circumstances surrounding a recent road accident that claimed the lives of two individuals close to the boxer.
In an interview shared on Saturday, January 3, 2026, Adedamola revealed that members of the Joshua family were initially unaware of the incident, learning about it hours later through a phone call rather than through official channels or emergency responders. He said the delayed communication added to the family’s shock and confusion.
According to him, the family only became aware of the accident around 1:00 p.m., when a church member — a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police — contacted him to break the news.
He described the moment as deeply unsettling, noting that it was difficult to comprehend how such a serious incident could occur without immediate and clear information reaching relatives.
More troubling, Adedamola disclosed that Anthony Joshua’s mobile phone was allegedly taken by bystanders at the accident scene, an act he described as both unethical and distressing.
He said the alleged theft raised serious questions about the conduct of onlookers during emergencies and reflected a broader societal problem.
The uncle expressed concern over what he described as a recurring pattern in Nigeria, where crowds often gather at accident scenes without offering meaningful assistance.
He lamented that instead of helping victims or alerting emergency services promptly, some individuals take advantage of vulnerable situations.
“This incident has forced us to reflect deeply on how accidents are handled in this country,” he said, pointing to issues such as delayed medical response, lack of coordinated emergency care, and poor public awareness of basic lifesaving actions.
He added that the tragedy has reignited discussions within the family about road safety, emergency preparedness, and the need for stricter enforcement of laws against exploiting accident victims.
According to him, such behaviour not only worsens already tragic situations but also undermines public trust and humanity.
Anthony Joshua, a former unified world heavyweight champion, has not yet made a detailed public statement on the incident.
However, fans across Nigeria and beyond have continued to express condolences and sympathy following reports of the accident.
The tragedy has also sparked renewed calls from the public for improved emergency response systems, better public education on accident management, and tougher penalties for those who exploit victims during crises.
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