By Tola Gbadamosi

The Ondo State Government has expressed concerns over the sale of fake tyres following a fatal accident involving two 18-seater buses on the Owo-Ikare-Akoko road.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, December 28, 2024, when two buses collided head-on and were engulfed in flames.

It was gathered that one of the buses was travelling from Lagos, while the other was coming from Abuja.

The collision left a scene of charred wreckage and debris strewn across the road, with eyewitnesses recounting the harrowing aftermath.

Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Emergency Response, Prince Wellington Oriade Adebawo, visited the accident scene to assess the situation and called attention to the dangers posed by substandard tyres.

Adebawo attributed the crash to the bursting of a fake tyre, which caused one of the vehicles to lose control and collided head-on with another bus. Both vehicles were engulfed in flames, resulting in significant casualties.

He criticised the proliferation of fake tyres, describing them as a major contributor to preventable road crashes that claim lives.

Adebawo urged drivers to prioritise vehicle maintenance and ensure their cars are roadworthy, especially during the festive season.

He was accompanied to the scene by security operatives, including officers from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), environmental officers, and the Nig byerian Police.

The victims’ remains have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre in Owo.