Twenty-five years after, Issakaba, an epic inspired by the true-life events of the Bakassi Boys of the South-East and the alleged reign of sorcerer, Eddy Nawgu, in Anambra, is set to return. One of Nollywood’s memorable classics, veteran filmmaker, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, is bringing the film back to the big screen with Issakaba: The Return, a sequel scheduled for nationwide cinema release on November 13.
 
The return promises more than a nostalgic reunion with a film that helped define an era of Nigerian home-video entertainment. It also revisits a story whose central concerns — crime, community security and the search for justice — remain relevant to contemporary Nigeria.
  
Set 25 years after the original story, the sequel introduces a new generation of characters and more sophisticated wave of crime and insecurity, bringing the familiar hero into a changed social landscape.
   
At the heart of it is Ebube portrayed by Sam Dede, the fearless leader of the Issakaba Boys, a group that confronted criminals terrorising its community. Ebube now retired, and the Issakaba Boys disbanded, must return to rescue the communityfrom the new, more sophisticated crimes such as ritual killings and kidnapping that have overrun the land: The old charms no longer work.  The state is overwhelmed, and the elders must summon Ebube, a man who carries justice like a cross, one last time. This time, the battle is generational; old Issakaba versus new evil, odeshi versus AI-assisted juju.
  
Imasuen is revisiting that world with Dede reprising his role as Ebube.
  
The film leans into what made the original great: action, horror, traditional mysticism — but shot with drones, cinema-grade sound and Asaba’s lush forests doubling as both spiritual realm and warzone.
  
The trailer shows Ebube — the soul of the franchise — older, bearded, slower but heavier. “Men with evil minds lurk in the dark, but justice is mine,” he said.
   
The production returns legends like Sam Dede as Ebube; Chiwetalu Agu, Mike Ogundu, Alex Osifo, Charles Okafor, Francis Onwochei and Ben Olaye, while also bringing together established Nollywood names and younger entertainers, including Chidi Mokeme, Iyabo Ojo, Regina Daniels, Nosa Rex, Yekini ‘Itele’ Ibrahim, Sani Denja, Mark Angel, who provides comic relief as a vigilante; and Phyna, BBNaija winner, and first female celebrity boxing champion.
   
Speaking at a media preview to herald the film release, Imasuen said the decision to revive the film is not simply about capitalising on a familiar title. The filmmaker pointed to the continuing relevance of the issues that inspired the original, noting that the security challenges of today have evolved beyond the armed robbery and political thuggery depicted in the earlier film.
  
“What we screamed about 25 years ago has not left us, and is even worse now. So there is a need for reintroducing Issakaba,” he said, adding that “When Issakaba was released in 2001, Nigeria was already grappling with violent crime, communal insecurity, and the ability of conventional security structures to respond effectively to the realities faced by ordinary people.”
     
“Across Nigeria today, we continue to witness the prominence of vigilante groups, community-based security initiatives, and calls for greater local participation. The conversation around state police and the decentralization of Nigeria’s security architecture has also continued to grow.