A major storm is brewing on social media as some Muslim communities in Nigeria call for the Netflix movie The Herd to be banned. They argu...
A major storm is brewing on social media as some Muslim communities in Nigeria call for the Netflix movie The Herd to be banned. They argue that the film unfairly depicts Fulani herders as violent bandits -- fueling dangerous stereotypes. With hashtags like "Ban Netflix, Ban The Herd" trending, the debate has become deeply emotional, touching on ethnicity, religion, and national insecurity.
The newly released Netflix film The Herd has stirred intense backlash, especially from Muslim and Northern Nigerian communities. Critics say the movie paints Fulani herders -- many of whom are Muslim -- in a one-dimensional, violent light, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
What's the Backlash About?
Other Muslim viewers claim that The Herd is unfairly profiling Fulani as criminals and kidnappers, and that the film is confusing herding with terrorism. To them, it is not only a movie plot but a dangerous plot that might increase prejudice against a marginalized population. One of the most vocal critics wrote, "This movie has nothing to do with you, being a Muslim. Ban Netflix."
A former aide to ex-President Buhari, Bashir Ahmed, added his voice, warning that the film's portrayal is "dangerously inaccurate" and risks casting a shadow over millions of innocent herders who are not terrorists.
Individual Responses Are High.
According to some of the viewers who have watched The Herd, the movie is emotionally exhausting. One of the women told that she experienced it, and she felt like it will break you, referring to the trauma of the story, and how the insecurity of real life in Nigeria is reflected on screen.
There were others who were frustrated that the movie may perpetuate negative ethnic and religious accounts without providing complexity and balance. There are also opponents on the other side that the movie is just a mirror of a grim reality in some regions of Nigeria, that banditry and kidnapping are serious problems.
Why Some Want Netflix Removed
The calls aren't just for the film to be banned -- many are urging people to delete the Netflix app entirely. Using X (formerly Twitter), critics are backing the campaign with the hashtag "Ban Netflix, Ban The Herd."
Their concern is more than cinematic: they worry that a global platform like Netflix is contributing to a narrative that stigmatizes many herders who live peaceful, traditional lives. Others claim that it may further polarize the existing divisions particularly those that are already feeling marginalized or misrepresented.
What the Other Side Is Saying
The ban is not agreeable to everyone. According to some Nigerians, the film is an attempt to cast some light on the actual security issues the country is going through, and that narration should not be muted simply because it offends people.
These movie defenders emphasize that it is a movie, not a documentary and should be perceived as a work of art, not a final ruling on an entire ethnic or religious community.
Conclusion
The uproar over The Herd is not like fiction only, but a reflection of the harsh reality in Nigeria. To most Muslims the movie is a negative stereotype to the world and to some it is a courageous film about insecurity that must be told. As the campaign to ban Netflix gains traction, it underscores a larger issue: who gets to tell Nigeria's stories, and how those stories reflect or reshape national identity.