A gang of armed robbers killed a Catholic Priest, identified as Reverend Father Onyeka, and his younger brother, Obi Onyeka, while travelling on the Owo-Oba-Akoko Road, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State on Sunday.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Wole Ogodo, who disclosed this to The PUNCH on Monday, said the robbers were operating on the road when the victims ran into them.

He explained that the victims were travelling in Toyota Highlander when the robbers came out of the bush and opened fire on their vehicle.

The Police spokesman added that the robbers shot at the petrol tank of the ill-fated vehicle while the driver was trying to escape with vehicle.

He stated that the vehicle burst into flame, burning the occupants, saying the driver sustained injuries and receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Ogodo, however, said the men of the command were on the trail of the bandits while investigation was ongoing.

He assured the travellers of adequate safety on the highways in the state.

The PPRO said, “On getting the information of the incident, our patrol team quickly went to the scene to rescue the surviving driver and deposit the corpses of the deceased in a mortuary.”

It was gathered that the deceased were travelling from Lagos to ‎Ugbe-Akoko in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State on the fateful day to meet with members of their family, who reside in the town.

Meanwhile, the Director of Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Reverend Father Leo Aregbesola, when contacted on telephone, said he had yet to receive the information as of the press time.