Tragedy struck on Saturday in Ondo State, Nigeria, when at least 13 people lost their lives in a devastating road accident along the Ikare-Akoko/Owo Road.

The fatal crash, which occurred at approximately 10:14am at Abule Panu, before Ose Bridge, on the Owo-Ikare highway, involved two buses carrying a total of 14 people.

It was confirmed that 13 of the commuters were burnt beyond recognition, while only one person was rescued alive, albeit with serious injuries.

The Ondo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Samuel Ibitoye, confirmed the incident.

In a statement on Saturday, Ibitoye expressed regret over the loss of lives in the tragic accident.

The statement partly read: “FRSC regrets to inform the public about a road traffic crash that occurred today December 28, at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge, on Owo-Ikare highway, Ondo State.

“The fatal crash which occurred at about 10:14 a.m. claimed 13 lives of commuters in two buses.

“A total of 14 people were involved, out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition, while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.

“Eyewitness account indicates that the bus coming from Ikare axis had a tyre burst which led to loss of control.

“This was resultant in a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from Owo axis.

“Immediately after the collision, the two buses went up in flames. The men of FRSC, Police and Fire Service were swiftly at the crash scene for rescue,” he said.

The Sector Commander, however, revealed that the injured victim had been taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

He, therefore, advised drivers to exercise patience on the roads and passionately maintain their vehicles.

“Passengers are also encouraged to speak out against dangerous driving because road safety is a concern of all,” Ibitoye said.

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In spite of the widespread outcry over economic hardship, some business owners in Bwari Area Council, Abuja, said they made huge profits during the Christmas celebrations.

In separate interviews on Friday, the business owners attributed the success to high patronage.

Bosede Bamidele, owner of a restaurant and bar, said the Christmas celebrations brought in one of her highest customer turnouts in recent times.

Ms Bamidele revealed that her usual stock of 50 crates of alcoholic drinks and 15 crates of soft drinks, which would normally last for two days, was exhausted within 24 hours during the festive period.

Ms Bamidele added, “I had to keep ordering more drinks because customers kept coming in and out of my restaurant, eating and drinking all the assorted recipes made available.

“Interestingly, in spite of the widespread complaints of economic hardship, people still found ways to unwind and have fun. I sincerely appreciate God for that because it benefitted my business.”

Similarly, Buhari Alhamdu, a tailor, also said he had worked so hard before the festivity to meet customers’ demands and had to hire more hands.

Mr Alhamdu said he sewed a “standard outfit” for at least N5,000 but increased it to N7,000 before the yuletide. He said the hike did not deter patronage.

He said although the reason for the increment was due to the cost of materials, his take-home after deductions of expenses left a smile on his face.

Praise Moses, a hairdresser, said she made more than N100,000 two days before Christmas.

Ms Moses, who said she hardly made N30,000 in a week due to low patronage, acknowledged that the festive season brought a surge in customers during the Christmas celebration.

“I always look forward to the Christmas period. No matter how the year has been, we make money during this season; there’s always patronage, no matter how people cry that there’s no money,” she stressed.