A heated clash between two Nollywood stars, Eniola Badmus and Laide Bakare, shocked guests at the premiere of Owanbe Thieves on Sunday night in Lagos.
A glamorous night turns sour
The event, hosted by actress and producer Eniola Ajao, was meant to be a celebration of her new film. The red carpet was rolled out, celebrities arrived in style, and the atmosphere was festive.
But what began as a night of glitz and glamour quickly took a dramatic turn. A disagreement on the dance floor between two prominent actresses stole the spotlight from the movie itself.
The moment of conflict
According to eyewitnesses, the incident began when Laide Bakare attempted to film herself while dancing with Eniola Badmus. The casual recording turned sour when Badmus abruptly stopped her.
“Must I be in your video?” Badmus snapped. “Don’t film us together. We are not friends.”
The remark stunned those nearby. Some froze, while others began filming the tension as it unfolded. Before long, the quiet protest turned into a fiery exchange.
Heated words and physical contact
Laide Bakare did not take the comment lightly. In response, she pushed Eniola Badmus and shouted at her in Yoruba. The now-viral clip captured her saying, “Se o ya werey? Ki lo de to fi n ba mi se bayi? Se o binu ni?” which translates to: “Are you mad? What kind of embarrassment is this? Are you insane?”
Security and close associates rushed in quickly to break up the situation before it could escalate further. The actresses were separated and taken to opposite sides of the venue.
Social media erupts
It didn’t take long for videos of the altercation to flood social media. Within hours, platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok were buzzing with reactions.
The hashtag #OwanbeThievesDrama began trending as fans, bloggers, and online users shared their takes. Some supported Badmus, saying she had every right to refuse being filmed. Others criticized her tone, calling the reaction harsh and unnecessary.
A history of tension?
Sources close to both stars suggest that this confrontation may not have come out of nowhere. “This has been building for a while,” one insider claimed. “There’s been tension between them behind the scenes. This just made it public.”
While neither actress has released an official statement, fans and fellow actors are urging them to address the incident.
The premiere carries on
Despite the tension, the premiere of Owanbe Thieves went ahead as planned. Guests returned to their seats for the screening, although the mood had clearly shifted.
Many say the night, intended to showcase Nollywood talent, instead highlighted the personal drama that sometimes follows its stars.
What comes next?
As the dust settles, many are watching to see what happens next. Will the actresses release public statements? Will they resolve their differences, or will this feud continue to play out in public?
One thing is certain — the Owanbe Thieves premiere will be remembered not just for the film, but for the unexpected drama that unfolded on the dance floor.
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