Anthony Joshua’s Phone Allegedly Stolen at Crash Scene, Family Says
The family of former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has alleged that the boxer’s phone was stolen at the scene of the road accident that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
Speaking in an interview, Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, said some people at the accident scene chose to record videos instead of helping the victims.
“Some Nigerians behave badly at accident scenes,” he said. “Instead of helping, people bring out their phones to make videos and even steal from victims.”
He added that Anthony Joshua’s phone was taken during the confusion after the crash and said such actions should be strongly discouraged.
“We were told that Anthony Joshua’s phone was stolen during the accident,” he said.
Mr Joshua explained that the family only learned about the accident hours later through a phone call from a church member, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police.
“Around 1 pm, I received a call informing me of the accident. It sounded unbelievable. How could Anthony Joshua be involved in an accident?” he said.
The crash happened just hours after the boxer arrived in Nigeria to spend the festive period with his family in Sagamu, Ogun State.
“He arrived in the country about six hours earlier and was excited to see his family,” his uncle added.
He also criticised the emergency response at the scene, saying Joshua should not have been left to move on his own after the crash.
“To see him crossing the road divider when he should have been on a stretcher was very painful,” he said, adding that the response would have been different abroad.
The accident claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s friends, who had travelled to Nigeria to spend the holidays with him, casting a shadow over the family’s celebrations.
The family said they were relieved that Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital, but described the loss of his friends as deeply painful.
“We thank God he survived, but we wish his two friends were still alive,” his uncle said.
