A new Nollywood crime thriller ‘The Herd‘ has ignited a fierce online debate, with critics accusing it of unfairly stereotyping Fulani herders as terrorists.
The film, directed by Daniel Etim-Effiong, recently became available on Netflix.
Its plot follows a couple whose wedding day in south-west Nigeria turns into a nightmare when their celebratory convoy is ambushed by gunmen disguised as cattle herders.
The story quickly shifts from a joyous celebration to a brutal fight for survival.
However, the movie’s central conflict has drawn significant criticism on the social media platform X.
Prominent voices, including former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad, have condemned the film for what they call “a dangerous profiling of an ethnic group”.
In a lengthy post, Ahmad argued that the scene depicting the attack “paints a picture that is dangerously inaccurate”.
He expressed concern that the stereotyping fuels suspicion and violence against innocent Fulani people and could create an international stigma against the entire community.
Ahmad concluded by calling on the Nigerian Film Corporation, led by Ali Nuhu, to investigate the film.
The reason why some Arewa people are angry about The Herd movie is not because we are denying the reality of banditry, far from it. It is about the dangerous consequences of profiling an entire ethnic group and region that has already suffered immensely from years of insecurity.… pic.twitter.com/pOK69GCpWy
Advertisement— Bashir Ahmad, OON (@BashirAhmaad) November 22, 2025
“Incredible timing by an American platform. But that’s probably just a conspiracy theory, you see,” David Hundeyin, the Nigerian journalist, wrote.
Incredible timing by an American platform.
AdvertisementBut that’s probably just a conspiracy theory, you see. https://t.co/ThzuIm5AO9
— David Hundeyin (@DavidHundeyin) November 21, 2025
Conversely, other social media users defended the film as a necessary reflection of Nigeria’s security realities.
One user argued that ‘The Herd’ does not attack the Fulani culture or innocent citizens, but rather “exposed armed Fulani terrorists who are attacking Nigerians”.
Below are some of the mixed reactions:
The HERD is an attempt by the Nollywood to spread hate and misinformation about the North.
CANCEL NETFLIX ❌ for promoting this nonsense.
These are IPOB Christian terrorists disguising as Boko Haram & Fulani herdsmen, warning president Tinubu and vowing to continue killing… pic.twitter.com/IvAhheXAPC
— F A A R E E S 💫 🇵🇸 (@MFaarees_) November 23, 2025
The anger from some of us in Arewa over “The Herd” isn’t a denial of banditry, but a rejection of the film’s dangerous stereotyping. The teaser explicitly portrays Fulani herders as synonymous with armed kidnappers, which is a facile and inaccurate narrative.
We have… pic.twitter.com/MGAEfLuCEm
— Arewa Ustaz (@UstazofArewa) November 22, 2025
Ban Netflix
Ban the herd
Delete Netflix in your phone
As a Muslim you have no business with this movie.
Ban NetflixRepost https://t.co/ftXHCOwx4c
— voice-of-Fulɓe (@Fulani_Tutor) November 21, 2025
I just finished watching The Herd. If you’re angry because of the way any tribe was portrayed in that movie, then you’re definitely part of Nigeria problem.
This is the reality of what is going on in Nigeria.
— Emmanuel….i ⚕️ (@AshE_Nuel) November 22, 2025
The Herd is one of the most engaging films I’ve seen this year. Everyone acted their hats off, especially the guys and girl that played bandits 💯
— Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (@Ebuka) October 17, 2025
“The Herd” movie is a poor attempt in trying to represent our reality in Nigeria. While the movie can be praised for its visuals and cinematography, the film pushes negative sterotypes, has a poor storyline, and ending.
1. Negative sterotypes:
-The movie portrays the Hausas as… pic.twitter.com/sHIirhIMvg— Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) November 22, 2025
The herd is a movie that speaks about Nigeria
— oseni rufai (@ruffydfire) November 22, 2025
For decades Nollywood portrayed Igbo people as r|tualists and pastors as false prophets.
Christians didn’t raise any petition or outrage about canceling Netflix or banning the movies.
THE HERD portrayed a Pastor as a co-conspirator, False prophet and Organ harvester.
He… pic.twitter.com/seWi4i70KP
— First Daughter (@Amakah101) November 22, 2025
For decades Nollywood portrayed Igbo people as r|tualists and pastors as false prophets.
Christians didn’t raise any petition or outrage about canceling Netflix or banning the movies.
THE HERD portrayed a Pastor as a co-conspirator, False prophet and Organ harvester.
He… pic.twitter.com/seWi4i70KP
— First Daughter (@Amakah101) November 22, 2025
I watched “The Herd” on Netflix, currently at No. 1 in Nigeria—and all I can say is this: it is a cinematic masterpiece. The storyline, the plot twists, the pacing… everything was brilliantly executed. If I have one thing to criticize, it’s the characterization. Some of the… pic.twitter.com/TqEjZFb5kr
— Mubarak Umar (@Mubarack_Umar) November 22, 2025
The Herd couldn’t have dropped at a more fitting moment. It mirrors Nigeria right now. Perfect casting, uncomfortable accuracy. @etimeffiong_ 💐 pic.twitter.com/p5OkEdXhwM
— Sam Otigba™️ (@SamuelOtigba) November 21, 2025
The herd is a movie that speaks about Nigeria
— oseni rufai (@ruffydfire) November 22, 2025
The anger over The Herd is surprising among the Northerners. A simple scene of cows on the road suddenly becomes an insult? Come on. That’s the everyday reality of herding in Nigeria. We can’t deny what we all see just because it touched a nerve. 🎬🐄 pic.twitter.com/M8PJevrcKx
— Oboh Raphael (@WhizRaphidoo) November 22, 2025
The anger from some of us in Arewa over “The Herd” isn’t a denial of banditry, but a rejection of the film’s dangerous stereotyping. The teaser explicitly portrays Fulani herders as synonymous with armed kidnappers, which is a facile and inaccurate narrative.
We have… pic.twitter.com/MGAEfLuCEm
— Arewa Ustaz (@UstazofArewa) November 22, 2025
The Herd is a GREAT movie. I was locked in start to finish. This is what Nollywood needs!
— VEE. (@veeiye) November 22, 2025
The Herd couldn’t have dropped at a more fitting moment. It mirrors Nigeria right now. Perfect casting, uncomfortable accuracy. @etimeffiong_ 💐 pic.twitter.com/p5OkEdXhwM
— Sam Otigba™️ (@SamuelOtigba) November 21, 2025
The development comes as Nigeria is gripped by a severe and escalating security crisis in recent weeks, marked by a relentless wave of bandit attacks and mass kidnappings.
Several students and members of staff from the St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger state were abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Friday.
The incident followed the abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi state on November 17.
On Tuesday, a video of armed men attacking a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Oke Isegun, Eruku community, Kwara state, went viral.
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