Ghanaian and African movie fans can look forward to the premiere of Issakaba: The Return on Friday, November 13, 2026, exactly 25 years after the original 2001 blockbuster hit theatres. The sequel, directed and co‑produced by Lancelot Imasuen—known on set as D’Gvnor—will be screened in Nigerian cinemas and is expected to stir excitement across the sub‑region.
Sam Dede reprises his role as Ebube, the fearless leader of the Issakaba Boys, alongside a new ensemble that includes Nosa Rex, Francis Onwochei, Emeka Rising, Iyabo Ojo, Sir Alex Usifo and Chidi Mokeme. The film was shot in Asaba, Delta State, in early 2024 and was announced during a press screening in Lagos after its trailer went viral.
Imasuen said the original film was inspired by the Bakassi Boys, a vigilante movement that emerged in southeastern Nigeria to combat armed robbery and insecurity. He recalled that the idea followed the success of his earlier film, The Last Burial, and that the story was originally titled My Town. The new film revisits the fight against criminal activity while highlighting ongoing challenges in community security.
Speaking at the Lagos screening, Imasuen emphasized that the message of Issakaba remains relevant: “Security is local. Let traditional rulers, local governments and communities be involved in securing their people.” He added that the circumstances that inspired the original story—violent crime and communal insecurity—have not changed significantly over the past 25 years.
He described the sequel as an opportunity to examine Nigeria’s continuing security challenges and to confront the question of what has changed and what has not. “From the look of things, nothing has changed after 25 years. The question has not disappeared. In fact, it has become even more urgent,” he said.
The release of Issakaba: The Return is expected to reignite discussions about vigilante groups, community‑based security initiatives and the role of state police in Nigeria’s security architecture.
Fans can anticipate a return to the high‑octane action sequences, traditional mysticism and vigilante justice that made the original film a memorable title among audiences across Africa.
