Nollywood actress Bimbo Thomas has revealed that the filming of Omo Ghetto: The Saga (Part Two) was nearly derailed by a violent armed robbery that left cast and crew traumatised and fearing for their lives.
The actress, who rose to wider fame for her role as Nikky in the film, disclosed that the incident occurred late at night at a hotel accommodating members of the production team in Ebute Metta, Lagos. According to her, the attackers appeared to be specifically searching for filmmaker and lead actress Funke Akindele.
Thomas made the disclosure during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, where she reflected on the dangers that accompanied the project, particularly while filming in densely populated neighbourhoods.
She explained that the movie’s gritty portrayal of street life frequently attracted the attention of local hoodlums, who often disrupted filming.
“The story felt too close to home for some people in the area. They kept interfering with the set,” she said, adding that her personal familiarity with the community did not prevent the harassment.
Despite security arrangements put in place to manage the situation during filming hours, Thomas said the most frightening episode happened after the day’s shoot had ended.
According to her, cast members were lodged in different hotels around the area. She said she initially stayed elsewhere until Akindele asked her to spend the night at the same hotel.
“She invited me over so we could rest together after work,” Thomas said, noting that actress Eniola Badmus was staying at a different location.
She said the calm of the night was shattered shortly before 1:00 a.m., when loud noises and shouts alerted them to danger.
“It was chaos. We heard banging and shouting and immediately knew something was wrong,” she recalled.
Believing Akindele was the primary target due to her celebrity status, those in the room tried to conceal her presence.
“Everyone knew she was the face of the project. We kept moving her, hoping they wouldn’t find her,” Thomas said.
As fear spread, prayers filled the room while the attackers attempted to gain entry. When they eventually forced their way in, Thomas said it became clear they were searching for Akindele.
“They kept calling her name,” she said.
Akindele eventually emerged, and instead of immediately fleeing with stolen items, the attackers allegedly forced her to go downstairs to her vehicle.
Thomas described the moment as surreal, saying she later heard Akindele singing the film’s theme song after being instructed to do so by the attackers.
She said it was only after the incident that they realised the scale of the threat.
“Only a few came inside, but there were many more outside. We didn’t stand a chance,” she said.
Help reportedly arrived after distress calls were made to influential individuals, including Oba Saheed Elegushi, while police officers from Panti later intervened, forcing the attackers to flee amid gunfire.
The aftermath, Thomas said, was marked by confusion and injuries.
“People were crying, some were hurt, and many of us were stranded and terrified,” she said.
She later learned that security agencies arrested some of the suspects months after the incident, while others were reportedly killed.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Thomas said the experience could have ended fatally.
“I acted without thinking at some point. I could have been killed,” she said.
She also linked the attack to an earlier clash during filming, when hoodlums who disrupted the set were arrested and compelled to issue public apologies.
“That incident angered them deeply, even though we had already settled the community,” she explained.
Describing the robbery as heartless and traumatic, Thomas said the experience left a lasting emotional impact on everyone involved.
“We survived by grace,” she said. “It’s something I’ll never forget.”