Nigerian cinemas are set for one of their busiest weekends of the year as three new Nollywood titles open on Friday, 13 November. Leading the pack is Issakaba: The Return, Lancelot Imasuen’s long-awaited revival of the vigilante action franchise, which arrives on the big screen 25 years after the original. It is joined by Akay Mason’s mystery thriller Five Figurines and Damilola Orimogunje’s family drama Dear Ajayi.
The releases add to a November line-up that already includes The Perfect Spec and Loving Itohan, both of which opened in cinemas a week ago.
Ebube is back: what to know about Issakaba: The Return
Directed and co-produced by Imasuen, the new film brings veteran actor Sam Dede back as Ebube, the fearless leader of the Issakaba Boys. According to ThisDay, it is the fifth instalment in the franchise. The production was shot in Asaba, Delta State, in early 2024, and its release date was announced at a press screening in Lagos last month, Vanguard reported.
Returning faces include Dede and Chiwetalu Agu, while the wider cast features Chidi Mokeme, Iyabo Ojo, Regina Daniels, Nosa Rex, reality star Phyna and comedian Mark Angel, among others. The film is a joint effort by Imasuen’s company and several partners, including LIAM Studios.
The original Issakaba, released in 2001, became a cult classic. Its title is “Bakassi” spelled backwards, a nod to the Bakassi Boys, the vigilante movement that emerged in the South-East in response to armed robbery and insecurity around Aba.
From real-life tension to a modern sequel
In interviews ahead of the release, Imasuen has said the first film drew directly on events unfolding in the South-East at the time. He told Premium Times that members of the vigilante group were unhappy with how they were portrayed, recalling that the film’s distributor was arrested in Aba and that Sam Dede was confronted while travelling through the city.
The director has framed the sequel as more than nostalgia. Speaking at the Lagos screening, he argued that many of the security problems that inspired the original remain unresolved a quarter of a century later, and that the new film asks what Nigeria has learned about protecting ordinary people since then. Early trailers suggest a more polished production, with upgraded cinematography and action choreography compared with the raw style of the 2001 film.
Five Figurines and Dear Ajayi complete the slate
Five Figurines, directed by Akay Mason, is a mystery thriller built around the suspicious death of a young man and his grieving mother’s decision to seek revenge through traditional means. Its ensemble cast includes Ini Edo, Uche Montana, Mike Ezuruonye, Odunlade Adekola, Chimezie Imo and Bimbo Akintola.
Dear Ajayi, from director Damilola Orimogunje, takes a quieter route. The drama follows two estranged sisters who are forced to live under one roof while caring for their ailing mother. The cast includes veteran actress Lanre Hassan, Uzoamaka Power, William Benson, Antar Laniyan, Chioma Omeruah and Michelle Dede.
What it means for the box office
Having three notable titles open on the same day means competition for screens and audiences, especially with the festive season approaching, traditionally Nollywood’s most lucrative period in cinemas. Industry watchers will be paying close attention to how Issakaba: The Return performs, given the strong nostalgia attached to the brand and the pull of its large cast.
Opening-weekend figures are usually published by cinema operators and box office trackers early the following week, which will give the first clear picture of which film has caught the public’s imagination. Moviegoers planning to watch any of the three this weekend are advised to book early, as busy screenings are expected.
Sources: Premium Times, Vanguard, ThisDay, YNaija, The Ghana Report, NollywoodCV, Geeky Nigeria.
