In an exclusive interview, acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker Lancelot Imasuen has shared a harrowing tale of his encounter with the notorious Bakassi Boys during the distribution of his iconic film, ‘Issakaba’. The encounter, which took place more than two decades ago, is being revisited ahead of the November cinema release of ‘Issakaba Returns’.
According to Premium Times Nigeria, Imasuen described how the Bakassi Boys, a feared vigilante group active in the Southeast during the 1990s, targeted the distribution of ‘Issakaba’ in Enugu. The group, known for their violent methods, allegedly demanded protection money from Imasuen and his team.
‘They accosted us, demanding money. They said they wanted protection money for the distribution of Issakaba. I was scared, but we managed to talk our way out of it,’ Imasuen is quoted as saying.
The encounter took an unexpected turn when the group detained Imasuen’s lead actor, Sam Dede, allegedly mistaking him for a notorious criminal known as ‘Issakaba’.
‘They arrested Dede, thinking he was the real Issakaba. It was a tense situation, but we eventually managed to convince them of his identity and secure his release,’ Imasuen recounted.
The incident highlights the volatile environment in which many Nigerian filmmakers operated during the 1990s, a period marked by political instability and the rise of powerful criminal gangs.
Imasuen’s account serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the Nigerian film industry, and the courage of those who persevered despite the odds. The upcoming release of ‘Issakaba Returns’ promises to rekindle the spirit of the original film and pay homage to its legacy.
*Sources:
Premium Times Nigeria:
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