Bashir Ahmed.webp
The Digest:

Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad has voiced strong concerns about the Nollywood thriller The Herd, stating that its portrayal of Fulani herders risks deepening harmful stereotypes and stigmatizing an entire community.

Key Points:
  • Bashir Ahmad reacted to the film via the social media platform X.
  • He criticized a scene showing herders suddenly opening fire on travelers.
  • Ahmad acknowledged that some bandits are Fulani but emphasized that most herders are peaceful.
  • He warned the portrayal could create global stigma against Fulani communities.
  • The former aide urged filmmakers to consult experts and pastoralist groups.
  • He called on the Nigerian Film Corporation to provide better guidance.
  • Ahmad stressed the need to condemn criminals without suspecting innocent herders.
This controversy underscores the delicate role of cinema in shaping perception, and the responsibility that comes with narrating fragile national truths.

Sources: Guardian Life, Bashir Ahmad’s X Account