The premiere of ‘The Herd’ was more than a typical Nollywood red carpet affair; it was a confrontation with one of Nigeria’s most pressing crises. Directed by Daniel Etim Effiong, who also stars in the leading role, the film doesn’t shy away from the brutal reality of insecurity and the devastating impact of herdsmen insurgency on Nigerian communities. What begins as a celebration of love quickly descends into a harrowing fight for survival, as a newlywed couple’s happiest day transforms into their darkest nightmare. Written by Lani Aisida, the screenplay weaves together intimate family dynamics with the larger conversation about safety, displacement, and fracturing of peace.
The film follows a newlywed couple whose joyous wedding celebration is suddenly interrupted, turning what should be a blissful day into a battle for survival. It is a narrative rooted in the everyday fears of many Nigerians, presented through the lens of love, family, and the fragility of hope.
‘The Herd’ features an ensemble of stellar actors, including Genoveva Umeh, Kunle Remi, Linda Ejiofor, Deyemi Okanlawon, Bolaji Ogunmola, Tina Mba, and Lateef Adedimeji. Speaking on the creative choice behind the narrative structure, Daniel Etim Effiong says, “Setting the story during a wedding, an event that Nigerians view as the peak of joy and celebration, was a deliberate decision.” Weddings symbolise unity, abundance, and a cultural moment where families celebrate loudly and proudly. In ‘The Herd’, that joy becomes the emotional trigger that intensifies the impact of the tragedy.
Staging insecurity within the sacred space of a Nigerian wedding amplifies the unpredictability that Nigerian citizens experience daily. “To set a story on the backdrop of a wedding is phenomenal because it’s a coming together of several elements. Nigerians love weddings and bringing everything together and staging a kidnap during a wedding is great storytelling so I couldn’t resist that kind of storytelling.” Etim Effiong notes.
The film leverages the emotional high of a celebratory moment and juxtaposes it with sudden, intense terror. The contrast between excitement and chaos accentuates the storytelling, reminding viewers that insecurity can strike anywhere, even during our most cherished moments.
The production was filmed in Abeokuta, and according to Etim Effiong, shooting the film was both demanding and exhilarating. The story required the cast and crew to mentally and emotionally immerse themselves in a situation that mirrors real events. Directing a film around a subject as sensitive as the Fulani insurgency presents an enormous challenge. The topic carries emotional and political weight, and any representation risks backlash from the public.
Etim Effiong understood this sensitivity, yet he believed that the responsibility of cinema extends beyond entertainment. In his view, “storytelling should reflect society, even when the reflections are uncomfortable.” Etim Effiong’s goal was not to sensationalise or assign blame but to humanise the victims and confront the emotional toll these events inflict on families.
Nigeria continues to grapple with alarming levels of insecurity, with a recent report revealing that over 614,000 people were killed and more than 2.2 million kidnapped between May 2023 and April 2024, largely due to banditry and insurgency in the northwest and northeast regions. According to Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, 9,514 have been killed while 7,175 people have been abducted in ten months in Nigeria.
For the writer Lani Aisida, he believes ‘The Herd’ stands as a reminder that cinema can be more than entertainment; it can be advocacy. Aisida praised Etim Effiong’s “boldness” to make this story his directorial debut. He also maintains that, as creatives, telling “bold stories” should be the norm.
‘The Herd’ urges viewers to acknowledge the crisis, empathise with victims, and push for a country where celebrations are not interrupted by fear nor turned into a normal way of life.
