‘I’m a street girl’, Bimbo Ademoye confronts area boys’ extortion on film set

Filmmaker and actress Bimbo Ademoye has confronted a group of street men demanding money from her crew during an outdoor film shoot, in an incident captured on video that went viral Thursday.

The video, shared by X user @Usmanashafe, shows Ademoye refusing to yield to demands for a “settlement” from three to five men at an unverified Lagos location.

The demand is a common extortion tactic targeting film crews shooting in public spaces.

Speaking in English and Nigerian Pidgin, Ademoye told the men she often compensates people around her sets but would not respond to ultimatums.

“I am a street girl, let me tell you. Ask around, when it comes to matters of the street, I like settling boys. But you don’t come to me and tell me to give you a certain amount,” she said.

When one man said he had not come to beg, Ademoye replied, “Yes, you came to beg. You are even being proud of it.”

After one of the men threatened to switch off her camera, she responded, “Camera that nobody in your generation has.”

No weapons were visible and the men did not physically escalate the situation on camera, but the confrontation disrupted filming.

The video drew widespread praise online for Ademoye’s composure.

The incident has renewed concerns about thug extortion faced by Nigerian film productions.