Chukwudi Okafor
Nollywood star Bimbo Thomas has opened up about a harrowing experience where armed assailants stormed a hotel where the cast and crew of *Omo Ghetto Part Two* were staying during production in Ebute Metta, Lagos—an event she described as life-threatening.
Thomas, who played Nikky in the hit movie that propelled her to fame, disclosed that the attackers seemed to be after the film’s director and lead actress, Funke Akindele.
She connected the incident to a prior altercation between local troublemakers and the production team.
During a candid interview with Chude Jideonwo, shared on Saturday, Thomas detailed how shooting the movie—which revolves around street life and gang dynamics—drew constant interference from area thugs.
“We were filming in Ebute Metta, and local boys kept disrupting the set because the story mirrored their own lives,” she revealed.
Despite growing up in the community, Thomas admitted that her background didn’t prevent disruptions, forcing the team to hire additional security.
“It’s my hometown, but we still needed extra protection just to get the job done,” she added.
The attack occurred late at night after filming had ended.
Cast members were scattered across different hotels, and Thomas mentioned she was initially at another location until Akindele invited her over.
“Funke insisted I come to her hotel. She wanted us to relax with a massage, something we often did after work,” she said, noting that Eniola Badmus was staying elsewhere.
According to Thomas, chaos erupted just before 1:00 am.
“Out of nowhere, we heard violent banging and shouts of ‘Thief! Thief!’” she recalled.
Panic set in as they realized the hotel was under siege.
“We were petrified. Funke is deeply spiritual, so we all started praying fervently,” she shared.
Fearing Akindele was the primary target, Thomas and others tried to conceal her.
“I knew she was the most recognizable. We first hid her under the bed, but it wasn’t enough, so we moved her to the bathroom,” she explained.
Akindele crouched beneath her gown while the rest knelt in fear.
“The masseuse was praying in tongues, Funke was praying, and I was just begging God for safety,” Thomas recounted.
After initially failing to breach the room, the attackers returned and forced their way in.
“When they came back, it was clear they were hunting for Funke. They kept calling her name,” she said.
Akindele eventually emerged from hiding.
“I assumed they’d just take valuables, but instead, they forced her to dress and dragged her to her car,” Thomas revealed.
What happened next stunned her.
“I heard Funke singing *Emi Omo Ghetto*. I was confused. They made her perform, and she complied,” she said.
Thomas noted that while six armed men entered the hotel, nearly 20 more were stationed outside.
“We had no clue there were so many. We were completely overpowered,” she admitted.
Distress calls were made to influential figures, including Oba Saheed Elegushi, who swiftly mobilized assistance.
Police from Panti Station arrived, and gunfire erupted as security forces clashed with the assailants, forcing them to retreat.
“It was absolute mayhem. Someone got shot, a pastor was hospitalized, and about 30 of us were left stranded in the lobby—terrified and praying,” she said.
Months later, Thomas learned that some of the attackers had been arrested, while others were reportedly killed.
“I was relieved. At that moment, I was ready to fight back, even if it meant risking my life,” she confessed.
She traced the attack to an earlier confrontation on set, where troublemakers who disrupted filming were detained and forced to apologize on camera.
“Despite settling things beforehand, that incident deeply angered them,” she explained.
Calling the ordeal brutal and traumatic, Thomas said it left a lasting emotional scar.
“When Funke later asked why I didn’t surrender her, I told her if they were going to kill her, they’d have to kill us all,” she said.
“We’re truly thankful to God,” she added.
