Ekpan Community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, South-South Nigeria is home to Warri Refinery, Nigeria Gas Company and other oil subsidiary companies. It is perhaps the home of the hospitality industry in Delta with Asaba, the capital city gradually closing the gap.
Despite the huge potential and investments in the community which now has highly densely populated outlets like New Layout, Niger Cat and others adjoining areas on the popular Jakpa and Refinery roads, Ekpan holds the record for youth restiveness. The youth restiveness which often cripples commercial activities until about a year ago was highly unpredictable. The restiveness of the community youths with its associated crimes accounts largely for why Uvwie Local Government Area was in the past christened “Gbege” area in the whole of Delta State.
While the present traditional ruler of Uvwie Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso Abe I, since ascending the throne of his forefathers has been trying his best to erase the negative impression about his kingdom occasioned especially by the restiveness and criminality of some youths in Ekapn Community, the kingdom was soon engulfed by spate of kidnapping and armed robbery on major routes in the community.
These kidnappings and armed robberies mostly on Jakpa, Refinery and Complex roads in Ekapn Community further dampened the already battered image of the area. Successive Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of Ekpan Division of the Nigeria Police Force did their best to arrest the ugly situation all to no avail until one CSP Aliyu Shaba, was drafted to the Division in the second quarter of 2023.
Among the high-profile crime achievements of CSP Aliyu Shaba was the recovery of arms and ammunition on July 4, 2023, at Agadaga Avenue off Jakpa Road, Ekpan, just a week and few days after he assumed duty as the Divisional Police Officer, Ekpan Division, Delta Command.
Others were the arrest of kidnap kingpin Momotimi who some time ago masterminded the robbery of Wetland Microfinance bank in Udu Local Government Area, the rescue of kidnap victims and the neutralizing of kidnappers that incessantly blocked Warri/Sapele Road and the recovery of many light and heavy weapons in Ekpan which include GPMG, Mac 4, assault rifles amongst others.
Ekpan Community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State was on Monday, April 15, 2024, in the news following two national honours bestowed on the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ekpan Division, CSP Aliyu Shaba, by the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, for his outstanding commitment and dedication in crime fighting that has reduced to the barest minimum incidences of armed robbery, kidnapping and other criminal activities in Ekpan and its environs.
CSP Shaba after bagging the awards of “Police Officer Of The Year” and “Divisional Police Officer Of The Year” was on Tuesday given a heroic welcome by men and officers of Ekpan Division, and Ekpan Community for his outstanding feat in policing at the station.
Bagging the awards of “Police Officer Of The Year” and “Divisional Police Officer Of The Year” at the Inaugural Nigeria Police Awards and Commendation Ceremony instituted by the incumbent Inspector General of Police, IGP, Olukayode Egbetokun was by no mean feat by CSP Aliyu Shaba, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ekpan Division.
One of the awards was presented to CSP Shaba by Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, at the police award and commendation ceremony held in Abuja on Monday, April 15, 2024.
Men and officers of Ekpan Division were joined the following day Tuesday by Ekpan community and members of a human rights group, Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative, to give a warm welcome to CSP Shaba back to the station which was hosted by the Chairman, Ekpan Development Committee, Victory Nanakparo and Udoka Emmanuel.
The Chairman, Ekpan Development Committee, Victory Nanakparo noted the success stories of CSP Aliyu Shaba even beyond Ekpan Community saying the people of Ekapn are deeply grateful to him for helping to restore sanity to the community.
Nanakparo who pledged continued support of his leadership and the people of Ekapn Community urged other DPOs and policemen to emulate the sincere commitment of CSP Shaba to his assigned duties.
Others who spoke including the National Coordinator, Human Rights Protection Congress, Monday Enudi and the BOT Chairman, Edewor Egedegbe attested to the fact that CSP Shaba has positively projected the image of the Nigeria Police Force.
Elated CSP Aliyu Shaba expressed gratitude to human rights groups, policemen at the Ekpan Divison, Ekpan community and other well-wishers who have supported him to succeed.
He dedicated the awards to the good people of Delta State, saying that the awards would spur him to double his efforts and improve his strategies for combating crime and promoting justice without fear or favour.
Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who personally pulled a call to CSP Shaba to congratulate the DPO for making the state proud while still at the prestigious Congress Hall of Trancorp Hilton Hotels, Abuja, venue for the Inaugural Nigerian Police Awards and Commendation Ceremony is expected soon to host the gallant police officer.
