Anthony Joshua car accident: Netizens claim ‘no ambulance, no responders’ as outrage targets Nigerian authorities

Heaveyweight boxer Anthony Joshua was involved in a car accident in Nigeria, an incident that has since drawn widespread attention both for the crash itself and for the public reaction that followed. Ogun State police have confirmed that an accident occurred and said an investigation is under way to determine the cause, which may have involved a burst tyre that caused the driver to lose control, according to a local police commissioner.A statement from Nigerian authorities confirmed that Joshua was taken to hospital for medical checks following the crash. It also noted that his security team was travelling in a separate vehicle at the time of the accident and was not directly involved.Following the reports, social media platforms were flooded with reactions, with many users criticising what they described as a lack of immediate emergency response at the scene. According to posts shared on X and other platforms, netizens alleged that there was no ambulance or organised first responders present in the immediate aftermath. Several users claimed that bystanders assisted those involved before police arrived, raising questions online about whether standard emergency protocols were followed. These claims have not been independently verified.Much of the online outrage focused less on the accident itself and more on broader concerns about Nigeria’s emergency services and governance. “Even billions can’t save you in an emergency,” read one widely shared post, reflecting frustration over what users described as systemic public safety failures. Others compared Nigeria’s emergency response unfavourably with countries such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand, where they argued medical and police services would respond more rapidly.Some users also recalled Joshua’s earlier positive remarks about Nigeria, contrasting those comments with the claims now circulating online. Alongside criticism, there were expressions of relief that the boxer was reportedly alive, as well as sympathy for those said to have been affected by the crash, though details regarding casualties have not been officially confirmed.Authorities have confirmed the accident and the ongoing investigation but have not issued a detailed response addressing the specific emergency response claims raised on social media.