BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed deep sorrow over the killing of two movie practitioners, Erharuyi Ogbeide and Eghosa Idehen, by unknown gunmen in Benin City, on Tuesday.

The Governor in a condolence message signed by Mr. Peter Okhiria, Chief Press Secretary yesterday, addressed to Mr. Teddie Akao on behalf of the Congress of Edo Movie Practitioners, said: I learnt with deep shock about the tragic death of two of our foremost movie and entertainment practitioners, Messrs. Erharuyi Ogbeide and Eghosa Idehen. I wish to convey to you and your colleagues the condolence of the people of Edo State as well as my personal commiseration.

Their loss is a great blow to the entertainment industry in particular and Edo State in general. They made such fundamental contributions to the growth of the movie industry in Edo State and brought happiness to thousands of the fans at home and abroad.

“We pray God to grant Erharuyi and Eghosa eternal rest. We also pray God to comfort their families, friends and colleagues in this difficult period,” he concluded. The Special Advisers to Edo State Governor on Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Orobosa Omo-Ojo (JP), has described the recent assassination of two prominent Edo State artistes, Mr. Erhauyi Ogbeide (alias Ukeke) and Eghosa Idehen (alias Erhejiro), as a rude and embarrassing shock to the people of the state.

Mr. Omo-Ojo, in a release said the assassinated artistes were leading lights of our rich cultural heritage who had made Edos proud as a people.

He observed that the assassination was senseless, wasteful and wicked, adding that their death was a great loss to the state.

According to him, the artiste community will miss them dearly; so also the entire Edo people, both at home and in the diaspora whose hearts they filled daily with laughter and humour.’

He prayed God Almighty to grant the departed souls eternal rest, and their families the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.