Bimbo Thomas recounts armed robbery attack with Funke Akindele

Actress Bimbo Thomas has opened up about a frightening night when armed men stormed a hotel where the cast and crew of Omo Ghetto Part Two were staying during filming in Ebute Metta, Lagos

Speaking during an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Thomas said the production faced repeated harassment from hoodlums because the movie focused on street life, which some locals felt reflected their reality.

“We were filming in Ebute Metta, and boys would always come on set to disturb us because it’s a thuggery movie, and they felt we were depicting their everyday life,” she said.
“It’s my hood. I grew up in Ebute Metta, so I thought they would accord me that respect, but we still had to bring security so we could shoot freely.”

She explained that the situation escalated late one night when the hotel housing the team was attacked. According to her, the incident started around midnight with loud banging and people shouting “Ole! Ole!” as the attackers attempted to force their way inside.

Thomas said panic spread quickly, forcing her, Funke Akindele, and others to hide in the bathroom while praying and trying to keep Akindele’s identity hidden.

“We didn’t know what to do. We were praying. Funke is a prayer warrior, so we all started praying,” she said.

Realising Akindele was the main target, Thomas said they tried to shield her from the attackers.

“I told them, ‘She’s the face here.’ We tried to put Funke under the bed, but it didn’t work, so we moved to the bathroom,” she explained.

Despite their efforts, the attackers eventually gained access and took Akindele away. Thomas described the moment as terrifying, saying she believed they were all going to die.

“When they came back the second time, it was clear they were looking for Funke. They kept calling her name,” she said.
“I thought they would just take what they wanted and leave us, but they told her to put on her clothes and dragged her downstairs to her car.”

She said she followed downstairs and was confused by what she saw next.

“I came downstairs and heard her singing Emi Omo Ghetto. I didn’t understand what was happening. They asked her to sing and dance, and she did.”

The attackers were later driven away after security operatives intervened, with some reportedly arrested or killed.

Thomas linked the attack to an earlier confrontation on set, where some local boys were arrested and forced to record apology videos after disrupting filming.

“Some boys disturbing us were arrested and made to record apology videos. Even though we had settled the area before filming, that incident offended them,” she said.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Thomas expressed gratitude for surviving the incident and said she was prepared to risk her life for Akindele.

“I was thankful. At that moment, I was ready to attack one of them without thinking of the consequences. I could have been killed,” she said.
“When Funke later asked why I didn’t give her up to them, I told her, ‘If they were going to kill you, they would have killed us together. We thank God. Truly, we thank God.’”