NAOSNP Counters Viral Claims, Says FRSC Arrived Within Minutes After Anthony Joshua Crash

NAOSNP Counters Viral Claims, Says FRSC Arrived Within Minutes After Anthony Joshua Crash

The National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) has moved to correct what it described as widespread misinformation surrounding the recent road traffic accident involving world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.

In a statement issued on Monday, NAOSNP lamented the speed with which unverified narratives flooded social media and international platforms, portraying the incident as evidence of a failed emergency response system in Nigeria, even before official facts emerged.

According to the association, preliminary findings and multiple eyewitness accounts confirmed that operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) arrived at the crash scene in Makun, Sagamu, within three minutes of the incident, while Anthony Joshua was still trapped in the vehicle. Other emergency response agencies were also mobilised promptly.

NAOSNP disclosed that eyewitnesses and FRSC officials worked together immediately after the crash, while the security Hilux escort vehicle accompanying Joshua was jointly used, on the advice of responders, to convey the boxer to the hospital without delay. The association noted that by the time ambulances from Lagos and Ogun states were fully mobilised, Joshua had already been transported for medical care under the coordination of FRSC personnel.

The association further clarified that two occupants of the vehicle, identified as Kevin “Lateef” Ayodele and Sina Ghami, died instantly at the scene due to collision trauma reportedly linked to excessive speed, and not as a result of delayed emergency response, as widely speculated online.

NAOSNP expressed concern that much of the outrage circulating globally was fuelled by unverified posts from social media users and high-profile individuals who were not present at the scene, giving international media what it described as a distorted narrative of Nigeria’s emergency response capabilities.

The group confirmed that Anthony Joshua is currently in stable condition and receiving quality medical care. It added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has personally reached out to the boxer and his mother, while Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, paid a visit. Messages of support have also poured in from across the globe.

While acknowledging that Nigeria’s systems are not perfect, NAOSNP stressed that they are neither absent nor completely broken. The association urged Nigerians to avoid amplifying unverified information that could demoralise first responders, undermine public confidence, and damage the country’s image.

NAOSNP also advised members of the public to prioritise safety and responsibility at accident scenes by promptly alerting emergency agencies, avoiding crowding victims, refraining from filming for social media, and relying only on verified updates.

It reminded Nigerians that emergency lines 112 and 767 remain operational in Lagos, providing free access to coordinated response services involving ambulances, police, FRSC, and other safety agencies.

As the world mourns the loss of Kevin “Lateef” Ayodele and Sina Ghami and prays for the recovery of Anthony Joshua and the driver, NAOSNP called for responsible reporting, patience for verified information, and recognition of effective institutional response as essential elements of nation-building.