The wait is finally over. Two and a half decades after Issakaba became a cultural phenomenon across Africa, one of Nollywood’s most iconic action films is making its triumphant return, and fans in Ghana and beyond are already buzzing.
Titled Issakaba: The Return, the highly anticipated sequel is set to hit Nigerian cinemas on Friday, November 13, 2026, exactly 25 years after the original 2001 release captivated audiences with its explosive action, vigilante justice narrative, and unforgettable blend of traditional mysticism.
For Ghanaian movie lovers who grew up on a steady diet of Nollywood classics, Issakaba was more than just a blockbuster, it was a defining cinematic experience. Its gripping storyline and larger-than-life characters cemented its place in the hearts of audiences across the sub-region, making news of the sequel a welcome development for fans who have long clamored for its revival.
Directed and co-produced by Lancelot Imasuen, popularly known as D’Gvnor, the sequel brings back veteran actor Sam Dede as Ebube, the fearless leader of the legendary Issakaba Boys. The ensemble cast also features Nosa Rex, Francis Onwochei, Emeka Rising, Iyabo Ojo, Sir Alex Usifo, and Chidi Mokeme.
Shot in Asaba, Delta State, in early 2024, the film’s release date was announced by Imasuen during a press screening in Lagos last weekend, sparking renewed excitement after the trailer surfaced online.
At the screening, Imasuen revealed that the original Issakaba was inspired by the Bakassi Boys, a vigilante movement that emerged in south-eastern Nigeria amid growing concerns over armed robbery and insecurity. The idea took shape after the success of his earlier film, The Last Burial, produced by the late Jude Chukwuka Emelionwu of Kas-Vid International.
“After The Last Burial was making waves, my attention was drawn to the activities of the Bakassi Boys in Aba,” Imasuen recalled.
“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.”
Beyond the adrenaline-pumping fight sequences, Imasuen believes the film’s central message remains as relevant as ever.
“Issakaba said security is local. Let traditional rulers, local governments, and communities be involved in securing their people,” he stated.
Reflecting on the 25 years since the original’s release, the director noted that the circumstances that inspired the story haven’t changed nearly enough.
“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 sequel, he explained, is intended to do more than revive a beloved action title, it’s an opportunity to examine the country’s continuing security challenges.
“Twenty-five 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.”
Imasuen also highlighted the ongoing prominence of vigilante groups and community-based security initiatives, as well as discussions around state police and the decentralisation of Nigeria’s security architecture.
He described the period since the original film’s release as “25 years of courage, boldness, deep thinking, and advocacy for a peaceful and safer society.”
