Nearly two years after production began in Asaba, Delta State, in early 2024, Nollywood action-thriller Issakaba: The Return is scheduled to debut in Nigerian cinemas on Friday, November 13, 2026, bringing back a celebrated story of community resistance, crime and traditional justice.
The film’s director and co-producer, Lancelot Imasuen, announced the release date during a press screening of the sequel held in Lagos last weekend. Veteran actor Sam Dede reprises his role as Ebube, the fearless leader associated with the vigilante group at the heart of the original film.
Released in 2001, the original Issakaba drew inspiration from real-life vigilante activities in southeastern Nigeria. Its exploration of insecurity and grassroots responses to crime has remained relevant, prompting the decision to revive the story for a new generation of audiences. Anticipation for the sequel has intensified since its trailer appeared online, generating considerable interest among cinema enthusiasts.
The new instalment revisits the criminal activities that the Issakaba Boys confronted a quarter of a century ago, drawing parallels between the security challenges portrayed in the original production and those confronting Nigerian communities today. With its combination of action, suspense and traditional beliefs, Issakaba: The Return seeks to reconnect audiences with the themes that established the original as a notable Nollywood production.
Speaking at the screening, Imasuen, popularly known as D’Gvnor, traced the origins of the first film to actual events in Aba. He explained that the project emerged following the success of his earlier production, The Last Burial, which was produced by the late Jude Chukwuka Emelionwu of Kas-Vid International.
“After “Last Burial” was making waves, my attention was drawn to the activities of the Bakassi Boys in Aba. We called a script conference with Reginald Ebere, started discussing casting and characterisation, and that was how “Issakaba” was born. It was originally titled “My Town,” he disclosed.
Imasuen maintained that the central message of the franchise remains relevant, particularly in discussions about community involvement in security and crime prevention. He argued that local institutions and traditional authorities have important roles to play in protecting residents and addressing security concerns at the grassroots level.
“Issakaba said security is local. Let traditional rulers, local governments and communities be involved in securing their people.”
Reflecting on the legacy of the original production, the filmmaker described its 25-year journey as “25 years of courage, boldness, deep thinking and advocacy for a peaceful and safer society.”
The original Issakaba combined action sequences with elements of horror and traditional mysticism, drawing on the activities of the Bakassi Boys, a vigilante movement that gained prominence in southeastern Nigeria amid widespread concerns over armed robbery and insecurity. In the film, Ebube leads the group as it attempts to deliver justice in circumstances where conventional law enforcement is portrayed as struggling to protect ordinary citizens.
Despite the passage of 25 years since the original film’s release, Imasuen expressed concern that many of the security challenges it explored remain unresolved. He noted that the circumstances that inspired the production continue to shape conversations about crime, public safety and the effectiveness of Nigeria’s conventional security institutions.
“When ‘Issakaba’ was released in 2001, Nigeria was already grappling with serious crime – violent crime, communal insecurity, and the inability of the conventional security structure to respond effectively to the reality faced by ordinary people,” he said.
The director explained that the sequel is intended to go beyond entertainment by examining the persistent difficulties facing society and encouraging audiences to reflect on the country’s security situation. According to him, the new film revisits the questions raised by its predecessor while considering how little appears to have changed over the years.
“25 years later, I’m returning to confront a question: What has changed? Perhaps even more importantly, what has not changed? From the look of things, nothing has changed after 25 years. The question has not disappeared. In fact, it has become even more urgent.
Across Nigeria today, we continue to witness the prominence of vigilante groups, community-based security initiatives, and calls for greater local participation in policing. The conversation around state police and the decentralization of Nigerian security architecture has also continued to grow,” he said.
The sequel features an ensemble cast led by Sam Dede as Ebube, alongside Nosa Rex, Francis Onwochei, Emeka Rising, Iyabo Ojo, Sir Alex Usifo and Chidi Mokeme, among other actors. Its November 13 release will bring the long-awaited continuation of the Issakaba story to cinema audiences, renewing attention on a franchise whose central concerns remain part of Nigeria’s national conversation.
