Issakaba The Return – Sam Dede Back as Ebube 25 Years Later as Regina Daniels, Iyabo Ojo Join Cast
One of Nollywood’s most talked-about classics is coming back to life. Issakaba: The Return, the long-awaited sequel to the 2001 vigilante action film Issakaba, has a trailer out and a cinema date fixed for November 13, 2026, with veteran actor Sam Dede stepping back into his famous role as Ebube, 25 years after the original.
The new film brings together old faces and new stars, including Regina Daniels, Iyabo Ojo, Chidi Mokeme, Nosa Rex, Mark Angel and former Big Brother Naija winner Phyna. Director Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, who directed the first film, is back in charge as director and producer.
Watch the Trailer
Here is the trailer for Issakaba: The Return:
Ebube Is Back After 25 Years
Sam Dede returns as Ebube Issakaba, the fearless leader whose fight against crime made the first film a household name across Nigeria and beyond.
According to the film’s synopsis, the story is set 25 years after the events of the original. This time, Ebube faces what the makers describe as “a new and sophisticated wave of rising crime, darkness, and insecurity.”
The sequel mixes action with horror and traditional mysticism, the same blend that gave the original its unique feel. The movie was shot in Asaba, Delta State.
Who Is in the Cast?
The cast list mixes respected veterans with some of the most popular names in Nigerian entertainment today. Alongside Sam Dede, the film features:
- Alex Osifo
- Charles Okafor
- Chidi Mokeme
- Iyabo Ojo
- Regina Daniels
- Nosa Rex
- Mark Angel
- Josephina Otabor (Phyna)
The inclusion of Phyna, who won Big Brother Naija in Season 7, adds a fresh crossover appeal. The reality star has stayed in the headlines since her win, most recently when she knocked out Nkechi Blessing in a celebrity boxing bout.
Comedian and content creator Mark Angel also brings a large online audience to the project, which could help the film reach younger viewers who never saw the original.
Quick Facts
- Title: Issakaba: The Return
- Director/Producer: Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen
- Lead actor: Sam Dede as Ebube Issakaba
- Release date: November 13, 2026 (cinemas nationwide)
- Filming location: Asaba, Delta State
- Original film: Issakaba (2001)
A Long Road to the Big Screen
The sequel has been years in the making. Sam Dede first revealed that the project was coming in January 2024, when he shared the news on Instagram.
In that post, he wrote: “ISSAKABA!!! The Myth returns. A river does not flow through a forest without bringing down trees. Men with evil minds lurk in the dark. But Justice is Mine.”
On October 1, 2026, the actor took to Instagram again to share the latest update, and the excitement among fans quickly picked up.
What Was the Original Issakaba About?
The first Issakaba was released in 2001 and drew inspiration from the Bakassi Boys, a vigilante group known for fighting crime in parts of south-eastern Nigeria.
The film followed the group’s battle against Eddy Nawgu, a feared sorcerer terrorising the Nawgu community in Anambra State. Its cast included Sam Dede, Chiwetalu Agu, Pete Eneh, Amaechi Muonagor and Susan Obi.
With its mix of action, charms and street justice, Issakaba became one of the defining films of early 2000s Nollywood. It was watched on VHS and VCD in homes across West Africa, including Ghana.
How Fans Are Reacting
Social media users have welcomed the news with a lot of nostalgia. Many described the original as a big part of their childhood.
Cast member Chidi Mokeme was among those who cheered, writing under the announcement: “IIIIIISSAKABA!!!! Na We Dey Here! Always a delight going in the trenches with you Boss.”
Another fan, @geoasila, said: “I was asking myself about Issakaba a year ago why there’s no next movie…Wow, nice I can’t wait.”
Others compared the Issakaba story to the big action franchises from Hollywood, saying it represents their generation’s own homegrown action universe.
Why This Sequel Matters
Nollywood has recently seen a wave of remakes and sequels to old favourites, as filmmakers tap into nostalgia to pull audiences back into cinemas. Issakaba: The Return is one of the boldest of these moves, given how strongly the original is remembered.
With the original director back, the lead actor in his old role, and a mix of veterans and social media stars in the cast, the film looks set to attract both older fans and a new generation of moviegoers.
Final Word
Twenty-five years after Ebube first took on the forces of darkness, the Issakaba story is heading back to the big screen. Fans now have just over a month to wait before they can see whether the sequel lives up to the legend when it opens in cinemas on November 13, 2026.
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