- Actress Bimbo Thomas shared a frightening experience of an armed robbery at a hotel during the filming of Omo Ghetto Part Two in Ebute Metta, Lagos.
- The attack was reportedly targeted at filmmaker and lead actress Funke Akindele.
- Thomas indicated that the incident might be connected to a prior altercation between local hoodlums and the production team.
Nollywood actress Bimbo Thomas has opened up about a terrifying incident in which armed robbers allegedly attacked a hotel where the cast and crew of Omo Ghetto Part Two were staying during filming in Ebute Metta, Lagos an experience she said almost turned fatal.
Thomas, who played Nikky in the blockbuster movie that pushed her into the spotlight, disclosed that the assailants appeared to be specifically searching for filmmaker and lead actress Funke Akindele. She suggested the attack may have been linked to a previous confrontation between hoodlums and members of the production team.
Speaking in an interview with Chude Jideonwo published on Saturday, the actress explained that the movie’s portrayal of street life and gang culture attracted constant disruption from local youths.
“We were shooting in Ebute Metta, and boys would constantly disrupt the set because the film reflected their everyday reality,” she said.
Although she is familiar with the area, Thomas noted that this did not stop the interference, forcing the team to beef up security.
“It’s my area. I thought they would respect me, but we still had to bring in security so we could work,” she added.
She said the robbery attempt occurred late at night after filming for the day had ended. The cast members were accommodated in different hotels within the area, and Thomas revealed she had initially stayed elsewhere before Akindele asked her to join her.
“Funke insisted I join her. She suggested we do a massage like we usually do after work,” she said, adding that Eniola Badmus was lodged in another hotel.
According to her, the incident started shortly before 1:00 a.m.
“We suddenly heard loud banging and people shouting ‘Ole! Ole!’,” she recalled.
As it became clear that the hotel was under attack, fear gripped everyone inside.
“We were terrified. Funke is very prayerful, so we all started praying,” she said.
Believing Akindele was the main target, Thomas said efforts were made 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,” she explained.
Akindele reportedly hid under her gown while others remained on their knees in fear.
“The masseuse was praying in tongues, Funke was praying in tongues, and I was just pleading with God for mercy,” Thomas said.
She said the attackers initially failed to gain entry but later returned and forced their way into the hotel.
“When they came back, it was obvious they were searching for Funke. They were calling her name,” she said.
Akindele eventually came out of 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,” Thomas recounted.
She described what followed as shocking.
“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 said.
Thomas revealed that although only six armed men entered the hotel, about 20 others were positioned outside.
“We had no idea they were that many. We were completely helpless,” she said.
She said emergency calls were made to influential individuals, including Oba Saheed Elegushi, who reportedly intervened.
Officers from Panti Police Station later arrived, and gunshots were heard as security operatives confronted the attackers, forcing them to flee.
“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,” she said.
Thomas disclosed that she later learned that several of the attackers were arrested months after the incident, while others were reportedly killed.
“I was grateful. At that moment, I was ready to attack one of them without thinking. I could have been killed,” she said.
She traced the incident back to an earlier altercation on set, where hoodlums who disrupted filming were arrested and made to record apology videos.
“Even though we settled the area before filming, that incident offended them deeply,” she explained.
Describing the ordeal as cruel and traumatic, Thomas said it left a lasting emotional mark.
“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,” she said.
“We are grateful to God truly grateful,” she added.
Leave a Reply