Nollywood actress Bimbo Thomas has revealed a terrifying experience during the filming of Omo Ghetto: The Saga, when armed robbers stormed the hotel housing the cast and crew in Ebute Metta, Lagos. What was meant to be a regular night of shooting quickly became a nightmare.
Bimbo told Chude Jideonwo that filming a thuggery-themed movie in her old neighborhood often attracted disturbances. Local hoodlums felt the movie portrayed their daily life. Despite growing up in the area, Bimbo said she could not rely on familiarity for safety. “It’s my hood. I thought they would respect me, but we still had to bring in security to film freely,” she said.
The attack began around midnight, with loud bangs and shouts of “Ole! Ole!” filling the hotel. Panic spread as the robbers tried to force their way in. Bimbo recalled how she, Funke Akindele, and other cast members ran into a bathroom, praying for protection. “We didn’t know what to do. Funke is a prayer warrior, so we all started praying,” she said.
Knowing Funke was the main target, Bimbo and others tried to hide her. “She’s the face here,” she said, describing how they first attempted to slide her under a bed. When that failed, they all squeezed into the bathroom. Despite their efforts, the robbers eventually broke in.
The attackers forced Funke to sing and dance, including performing her hit Emi Omo Ghetto. Bimbo described the scene as disturbing and surreal. “I came downstairs and heard her singing. I didn’t understand what was happening. They asked her to sing and dance, and she did,” she said.Security forces eventually arrived, chasing the robbers away. Some attackers were reportedly arrested, while others were killed. Bimbo linked the incident to an earlier confrontation, when locals disturbing the shoot were arrested and made to record apology videos. She said this may have provoked the attack.
Reflecting on the incident, Bimbo said she was grateful for their survival. “If they were going to kill her, they would have killed us together. We thank God. Truly, we thank God,” she said.
The incident underscores the dangers actors face on location, even in familiar neighborhoods. For Bimbo, it was a reminder of courage, loyalty, and the risks behind the scenes of Nollywood productions.
While Omo Ghetto: The Saga depicts street life and thuggery on screen, the events of that night showed that the reality behind filming can be just as dangerous. Bimbo’s experience is a reminder that sometimes, real life is more frightening than fiction.
