Daniel Etim Effiong’s feature directorial debut, The Herd, has sparked intense conversations online following its release on Netflix, with many Nigerians linking the film’s storyline to the country’s recent surge in violent kidnappings.
The thriller which stars Mercy Aigbe alongside a strong ensemble follows a couple and their guests who are abducted by armed herders during a private celebration. Drawing heavily from real-life cases of banditry and herder-related violence, the film earned critical praise for its gripping tension and unflinching portrayal of brutality during its cinema run, which began on October 17.
Its arrival on Netflix this week has reignited national debates, especially after the November 18 kidnapping of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State. The incident, which prompted President Bola Tinubu to postpone an official trip to oversee rescue efforts, mirrors the kind of terror depicted in the film , a connection many Nigerians have highlighted in their reactions on X (formerly Twitter).
Social media users described the film as “uncomfortably timely,” noting that the fictional ordeal of the characters reflects the insecurity gripping several communities across the country.
As security agencies intensify operations to rescue abducted schoolchildren in Kebbi and other states, The Herd continues to draw attention not just as a thriller, but as a stark reminder of the human toll of Nigeria’s worsening kidnapping crisis.
