Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has expressed sympathy with Nigerian-British boxing star Anthony Joshua following a fatal road accident that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement issued on Tuesday, the senator described the incident as heartbreaking, noting that the victims had travelled to Nigeria with the former world heavyweight champion before the tragic crash occurred.
Natasha said the loss once again highlights the dangers on Nigerian highways, blaming poor enforcement of traffic rules and weak emergency response systems for the growing number of fatal accidents across the country.
She prayed for comfort and strength for Joshua and the bereaved families, urging them to take solace in God during the difficult period.
The lawmaker also used the incident to call for urgent reforms in road safety management, stressing that many crashes are avoidable if existing regulations are properly enforced.
She urged Federal Road Safety Corps to strengthen monitoring and enforcement on major highways, warning that safety rules without strict compliance have continued to cost Nigerians their lives.
Natasha further appealed to the Federal Government to provide rest stops and lay-bys along major roads to reduce driver fatigue, especially among long-distance motorists.
She also called for the establishment of a well-equipped highway emergency rescue system to ensure faster response to accidents, noting that delays in medical intervention often worsen outcomes for victims.
The senator described road safety as a national emergency that requires immediate attention, adding that the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for meaningful and lasting reforms.
She reaffirmed her commitment to supporting policies and legislation aimed at improving highway safety while again extending her condolences to Anthony Joshua and the families affected by the accident.
