The Herd and The informant Character!
-By Tife Owolabi

Currently, It appears that not many of us are driven by news that inspires hope anymore even though to be hopeful is Nigerian by nature and to be grateful that we are spared from the daily hazards happening across the country. Yet, this hope is increasingly tested because the government no longer inspires confidence. As a result, people now crave gossip and carnage.
We consume stories about the next political actor who might assault his wife, the next boxers who will misbehave on a plane, or the latest bandit or terrorist attack. We burn through our data arguing over who is right or wrong, even as we scroll toward the next human tragedy—fresh casualties of insecurity that is gradually bringing the Nigerian state to its knees.
But thanks to Nollywood—“our promise keeper,” as one songwriter puts it—we still find moments of light in these dark times. Nollywood consistently shows up in the midst of national depression and the calamities caused by failed governance structures, offering storytelling that mirrors society while trying to keep hope alive.

I dare say: give it to Nollywood and the entertainment industry. They are the true definition of the “suffering and smiling” spirit—finding peace in the war zone. This is evident in the recently released film The Herd. Already,opinions are sharply divided: some say it reflects the realities plaguing the country, while others argue it is unbalanced because it portrays a section of Nigeria as terrorists while seemingly exonerating others. For me, whatever side anyone takes is of little concern. We are identity-driven as a people; it is in our DNA. Erasing that reality would move us forward.

So, permit me to highlight a deeply rooted issue that continues to undermine our fight against insurgency and insecurity which The Herd mirrored . The Herd uses a kidnapping incident as a microcosm of Nigeria’s broader insecurity challenges. One scene stands out for me which I want the government to act upon ; an elderly woman—played by a popular actor, Ms Idowu Philips also known as Mama Rainbow— who acts as an informant, warning the kidnappers that policemen are closing in, helping some escape. Though the film doesn’t show a familial connection, she appears familiar with the kidnappers .

This, right here, reflects one of the major reasons banditry and terrorism persist—not just in Nigeria but globally. It is the emotional attachment of mothers to their children. To the public, you see a criminal. But to the woman who carried that child for nine months, she sees someone struggling through life, regardless of the choices he makes.
I once saw a case in Bayelsa where a mother sneaked a phone inside food just to pass it to her son who was detained for kidnapping. All she wanted was to ensure her son stayed alive, hoping that someday he would turn a new leaf.

Former Chief of Defense Staff General Chris Musa Gwabin also narrated how women often sneak into terrorist camps to see their sons, yet never provide security agencies with information about their whereabouts. To the state, you see a terrorist; but to her, she sees her own child.

These are deep societal issues we must educate ourselves about. A mother has a profound connection with her child. Look around: if you have a brother who isn’t doing well, notice how the mother keeps protecting him. She may even excuse or defend his failings.

Or consider a woman with a special-needs child. Others may reject the child, but never the mother. The child occupies a special place in her heart.

This is not to generalise or claim that all women will cover for their children involved in crime—there are indeed some who take a firmer stance and refuse to enable wrongdoing. However, the emotional bond is a real factor that cannot be ignored.

The Nigerian state needs to develop sensitive, effective strategies to address this dynamic as part of the broader fight against insecurity. Going forward, our security approach must rely more on non-kinetic interventions that extend beyond arrests and force. These should include community engagement, psychological support, and sustained awareness campaigns that help families—especially mothers with deep emotional bonds to their children—understand the consequences of shielding loved ones involved in crime.

Lastly, The Herd stands out as both a gripping thriller and a reflection on the societal ills . It mirrors the deep-seated fears Nigerians confront daily, immersing viewers in a suspenseful yet reflective story about survival, vulnerability, and the rising tide of violence.

Tife Owolabi is a Development Studies enthusiast and he writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.