In the age of breaking news and viral online posts, reiterating the stance that today’s narratives and reportage about Nigeria will guide the prism for tomorrow’s discussions and reflections. If we state the facts in an humane and patriotic manner, we will reap the positives, if not, we will wear the negative labels.
Yesterday, after the unfortunate road traffic accident involving world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua and his team, on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State Nigeria is again getting knocked on the global stage for what is not necessarily peculiar to this jurisdiction. Social media is awash with the untruths and misconceptions as spread by Nigerians themselves, including high profile citizens, which the international media is currently feasting on like vultures flying into a disaster zone as they amplify their false narrative that Nigeria is failing.
Few moments before verified facts emerged, a torrent of dramatic narrative portrayed the unfortunate incident as fresh evidence of a failed state, a collapsed emergency response system, and institutional negligence.
Interestingly, much of the outrage now echoing across international media spaces was fuelled not by official reports, but by unverified posts from highly placed Nigerians, social media users, influencers who are not at the scene of the incident.
As a frontline and credible security and safety news beat association, National Association of Online Security News Publishers NAOSNP, we empathize with the family, friends, and fans of Anthony Joshua as well as those of the two departed; Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele and Sina Ghami in the fatal crash.
To set the record straight with preliminary findings and multiple on-the-ground accounts shows that the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC which oversees road safety nationwide had its officers at the Makun, Sagamu accident scene within 3 minutes of the crash while Anthony Joshua was still stuck in the vehicle. Emergency response agencies were present. Eyewitnesses at the scene reportedly acted immediately, offering assistance within the few minutes of the crash with FRSC operatives.
Also, it should be highlighted that the escort vehicle which followed Anthony Joshua’s car is a security Hilux van. It was this same vehicle that eyewitnesses and the operatives agreed to immediately used to convey Anthony Joshua to the hospital in an effort coordinated by the FRSC officials alongside others. Few minutes later, personnel of the Nigeria Police also arrived. By the time ambulances vehicles from Lagos and Ogun States were mobilised, Anthony Joshua had already been moved to the hospital assisted by the FRSC officials.
The entire sequence according to eyewitness report happens in minutes, not the exaggerated delays false narratives spreading on social media spaces. Also, official press statement further indicate that the two close friends of the renowned heavyweight boxer, involved died instantly at the scene from collision trauma linked to excessive speed by the driver, not from any lapse in emergency response as erroneously painted. This situation is what some Nigerians have inferred in their rush for cheap political points as failure of emergency response.
Since getting to the hospital, Anthony Joshua is in stable condition under quality healthcare while the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has personally reached out to him and his mom through a telephone call, Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has physically visited them, and official reports of the true situation from the appropriate agencies have emerged. Even foreigners like Jake Paul, among others have reached out in prayers but why do Nigerians make it a job to demarket their country and institutions?
The response times for emergencies vary from place to place all over the world, and is also determined by many factors. Every country is constantly working to get better in this regard.
Nigerians should however be concerned about how our actions and inactions fuel negativity about our country. The penchant to push falsehoods and amplify worst-case issues not only blacklist the country, it does no citizen good, whether based at home or in the Diaspora. In cases of emergencies like yesterday’s, this negative attitude demoralises first responders, undermines public trust, and weakens institutions.
Instead of negativities, NAOSNP advises that at accident scenes, eyewitnesses should first engage security and road safety agencies, Nigeria Police, FRSC, ensure personal safety, avoid crowding victims, minimize filming victims for social media posts, stop spreading unverified updates, and immediately contact emergency services. Every action at a crash site can mean the difference between survival and more harm.
In Lagos, the emergency line is 112 and 767. Both lines, which are free, connect callers to trained responders who coordinate ambulances, police, FRSC and safety agencies. This toll system has been widely reported to work effectively and efficiently at all times.
In all, as the world mourns the lives of Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele and Sina Ghami lost in the Anthony Joshua’s road crash and wish the iconic boxer and the driver quick recovery, NAOSNP agrees that Nigeria’s systems are not perfect but they are not totally absent or broken as being portrayed. Waiting for verified information, reporting responsibly, and recognising effective institutional response when it occurs are all part of nation-building.