A controversy has erupted in following the release of the Netflix movie “The Herd,” directed by Nollywood actor Daniel Etim-Effiong, leading to a viral campaign by some Nigerian calling for the immediate cancellation of Netflix services.
The film, which depicts a kidnapping carried out by bandits often identified as Fulani herdsmen, has raised outrage among critics who accuse the movie of ethnic and religious profiling.
The online campaign, launched primarily on X (formerly Twitter), urges users to delete the Netflix app and boycott the streaming giant. Critics argue that the movie dangerously stereotypes an entire ethnic group the Fulani).
The controversy centers on a specific scene that allegedly shows Fulani herders crossing the road with cattle, only to suddenly pull out guns and abduct travelers.
A prominent voice in the criticism is Bashir Ahmaad, a former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari. He acknowledged the surge of banditry but condemned the film for its broad strokes.
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 – Ahmaad.
Ahmaad argued that while some criminals are Fulani, the vast majority of herders are innocent victims of the crisis themselves. He warned that a film with an international platform like Netflix, which portrays a one-dimensional story, reinforces harmful stereotypes that fuel suspicion and resentment. He suggested that the Nigerian Film Corporation should have provided guidance to prevent such “damaging portrayals.”
Despite the heavy criticism, many social media users and members of the Nigerian creative industry have rallied behind the film, arguing that its purpose is to reflect the uncomfortable truth of Nigeria’s current security challenges.
I genuinely don’t understand why a certain group is angry that this movie reflects the current realities of Nigeria. You can’t accuse a movie of ‘misrepresentation’ when it mirrors events the whole country has witnessed – A social media user wrote
However, social media commentator Daniel Regha criticized the film for going beyond accurate reflection, claiming it pushed negative stereotypes by portraying Hausas as bandits, Yorubas as accomplices, and Igbos as egoistic and naive. Regha rated the movie 2/10, due to his claimed numerous plot holes and technical errors.
The film, released on Friday, November 17, 2025, has already generated over 30 million views, making it one of the most talked-about Nollywood releases of the year.
