Bimbo Thomas
Nollywood actress Bimbo Thomas has narrated a harrowing experience in which armed robbers allegedly attacked a hotel housing the cast and crew of Omo Ghetto: The Saga during filming in Ebute Metta, Lagos.
Thomas, who played Nikky in the blockbuster film, said the incident occurred late at night and nearly turned fatal. She claimed the attackers appeared to have been specifically targeting filmmaker and lead actress Funke Akindele, following earlier tensions on the movie set.
Speaking during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, released on Saturday, Thomas explained that filming the gang-themed movie often attracted disruptions from local hoodlums.
“We were shooting in Ebute Metta, and boys would always come to disturb us because the movie reflected their everyday life,” she said.
Although she grew up in the area, Thomas noted that the interference continued, prompting the production team to strengthen security arrangements.
“It’s my hood, but we still had to bring in security so we could work freely,” she said.
According to Thomas, the attack happened after filming had ended for the day. Cast members were lodged in different hotels within the neighbourhood, and she said she initially stayed elsewhere before Akindele asked her to join her at the same hotel.
The incident began shortly before 1 a.m., when they heard loud bangs and shouts of “Ole! Ole!” signalling a robbery attempt.
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“We panicked. We didn’t know what to do, so we prayed. Funke is a prayer warrior, and we all joined her,” Thomas recalled.
Fearing Akindele was the primary target, the group attempted to hide her, first under a bed and later in the bathroom.
“The masseuse and Funke were praying in tongues. I was just begging God to spare us,” she said.
Although the attackers initially failed to enter the hotel, they later returned and forced their way inside. Thomas said it became clear they were searching for Akindele, repeatedly calling out her name.
Eventually, Akindele emerged from hiding and was taken downstairs to her car.
“I thought they would just steal and leave, but they made her dress up and dragged her outside,” Thomas said.
She described a disturbing moment when Akindele was forced to sing and dance to Emi Omo Ghetto.
“I came downstairs and heard her singing. I didn’t even understand what was happening,” she said.
Thomas revealed that while six armed men entered the hotel, about 20 others were positioned outside. Calls were quickly made to influential figures, including Oba Saheed Elegushi, while officers from the Panti Police Station later arrived.
Gunshots were eventually heard as security operatives engaged the attackers, forcing them to flee. Several people were injured during the chaos, and a pastor was rushed to the hospital.
“About 20 to 30 of us were gathered at the reception, not knowing whether to cry, faint, or keep praying,” she said.
Months later, Thomas said she learned that some of the attackers had been arrested, while others were reportedly killed.
Reflecting on the ordeal, she linked the attack to an earlier confrontation on set, where some individuals who disrupted filming were arrested and made to record apology videos.
“Even though we had settled the area, that incident offended them,” she said.
Describing the experience as traumatic, Thomas said it left a lasting emotional impact.
“When Funke later asked why I didn’t give her up, I told her if they were going to kill her, they would have killed all of us together,” she said.
“We thank God,” she added. “Truly, we thank God.”