Adedamola Joshua, uncle of Nigerian-British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, has revealed the family’s shock and emotional distress following a tragic road accident that claimed the lives of two of the boxer’s close friends.
According to Adedamola, the family did not initially learn about the accident through social media but were informed later via a phone call. This delay added to the confusion and emotional strain surrounding the incident.
Family Reacts to Tragedy
Adedamola Joshua explained that the accident deeply affected the family and raised serious concerns about emergency response systems, bystander behavior, and road safety in Nigeria. He highlighted the need for timely medical assistance and criticized the tendency of onlookers to gather at accident scenes rather than help.
“Some of us are not really active on social media, so we didn’t hear about it immediately. Around 1 p.m., one of my church members, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, called to inform me of the accident. It felt unreal,” he said.
He also clarified that Anthony Joshua’s trips to Nigeria during the holiday season were part of a long-standing family tradition and not tied to any specific event or program. The tradition of large family gatherings had ceased after the passing of a senior family member who previously organized these events.
“It has really left us in shock because this is not the first time he has visited Nigeria. He had just arrived in the country six hours before the accident, eager to see his family in Sagamu,” he added.
“He could have chosen to meet with government officials or other influential Nigerians, but he prioritized being with his family. It is deeply painful that this happened,” he said.
He also provided insight into the family’s living arrangements, noting that Joshua’s father primarily resides in Nigeria, while his mother divides her time between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Concerns Over Emergency Response and Bystander Conduct
Adedamola Joshua expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the accident, describing Nigeria’s emergency response system as inadequate. He cited delays in rescue efforts and medical attention, emphasizing that such shortcomings often worsen outcomes in critical situations.
“I want to condemn the lackadaisical attitude of our government toward emergencies. Seeing Joshua cross the median after the accident, when he should have been on a stretcher, was distressing,” he said.
“If this had occurred abroad, a helicopter would have arrived within five minutes to evacuate the victims.”
He further called for improved emergency infrastructure:
“It is not enough for officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps to check vehicle documents. Ambulances should also be stationed along major roads,” he said.
Adedamola also criticized bystander behavior at accident scenes, revealing that some individuals exploit such situations rather than offer assistance. According to him, Anthony Joshua’s phone was reportedly stolen amid the chaos at the scene.
“Some Nigerians act wrongly at accident scenes. Instead of helping, they record videos or even steal from victims. This is unacceptable,” he added.
Source: Yen.com.gh
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