LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nollywood actress Bimbo Thomas has revealed a terrifying night during the filming of Omo Ghetto Part Two, sharing how an armed robbery attack in a Lagos hotel nearly turned fatal for cast members.
Thomas, who played Nikky in the hit film, said the incident occurred in Ebute Metta, where the production was lodged after a day’s shoot. Speaking during an interview with Chude Jideonwo, the actress alleged that the attackers were specifically searching for filmmaker Funke Akindele, the face of the franchise.
According to Thomas, tension had been building long before the night of the attack. She explained that the film’s portrayal of street life and gang culture drew frequent harassment from local hoodlums who felt mirrored. Despite growing up in the area, Thomas noted that familiarity offered little protection and additional security support had to be hired.
“We were shooting in Ebute Metta, and boys would constantly disrupt the set because the film reflected their everyday reality. It’s my area. I thought they would respect me, but we still had to bring in security so we could work,” she added.
The attack reportedly happened shortly before 1:00 am after filming wrapped up. While cast members were accommodated in different hotels, Thomas said she joined Akindele at her hotel after being invited over. Moments later, chaos broke out as the attackers attempted to force entry.
“Funke insisted I join her. She suggested we do a massage like we usually do after work. We suddenly heard loud banging and people shouting ‘Ole! Ole!’,” Thomas recalled, saying fear quickly gripped everyone inside the hotel.
Akindele, whom she described as prayerful urged them to pray. However, somehow they knew Akindele was the assailants primary target and so they tried to hide her.
“I told them she was the face everyone knew. We tried hiding her under the bed, but it didn’t work, so we moved her into the bathroom,” Thomas explained.
The situation escalated when the assailants returned. In Thomas words, “When they came back, it was obvious they were searching for Funke. They were calling her name. She eventually emerged from hiding. I thought they would just collect valuables and leave, but instead they asked her to dress up and dragged her downstairs to her car.”
What followed stunned Thomas as it was entirely unexpected in such a terrifying situation.
“I heard Funke singing Emi Omo Ghetto. I didn’t understand what was happening. They ordered her to sing and dance, and she did,” she recounted.
Thomas disclosed that while only six armed men entered the hotel, about 20 others were stationed outside. She recalled that she and the other crew members felt completely helpless and fearful of the attackers intentions
Help eventually arrived after distress calls were made to influential figures, including Oba Saheed Elegushi. Officers from the Panti Police Station later intervened, exchanging gunfire with the attackers, who fled the scene.
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“It was total chaos. Someone was shot, a pastor was rushed to the hospital, and about 20 to 30 of us were stranded at the reception confused, scared, and praying,” Thomas said.
Months later, she learned that some of the attackers had been arrested, while others were reportedly killed. Thomas traced the incident to an earlier clash on set, where disruptive hoodlums were arrested and compelled to record apology videos.
“I was grateful. At that moment, I was ready to attack one of them without thinking. I could have been killed. Even though we settled the area before filming, that incident offended them deeply,” she said.
Reflecting on the ordeal, the actress described it as deeply traumatic but grateful to God for sparing them.
“When Funke later asked why I didn’t hand her over, I told her if they were going to kill her, they would have killed all of us together. We are grateful to God truly grateful,” she said.
