•CP, lauded on professionalism, DPO best in Nigeria, PPRO commended
From Okwe Obi, Abuja
•VP Shettima present The Best DPO in Nigeria Award to Shaba
The Delta State Police Command, Asaba, was one of the outstanding commands at the maiden Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations ceremony on April 15, 2024. The Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda and his Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, were commended for their professionalism and diligence on the job.
•CP Abaniwonda
Then, CSP Aliyu Shaba, DPO, Ekpan Division, Uvwie Local Government, got both the IGP Award and commendation for being The Best DPO in Nigeria. They all distinguished themselves during the period under review based on the recommendations of the Nigeria Police Force Awards Committee, headed by Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Bala Ciroma.
The CP had proved his sterling professional and leadership qualities at various units he had served before being deployed to Delta on February 7, 2024. He took over from Wale Abass, who was promoted Assistant Inspector General of Police (IGP) and moved to the force headquarters, Abuja.
•SP Edafe
He “hit the ground running” by reading riot act to youths not to “allow themselves to be used by criminally minded politicians or rich men in their communities to go into crime or cause breakdown of law and order.” He admonished parents to monitor closely the types of friends and movement of their children and wards to be able to guide and lead them to be good citizens.
He then summoned all the divisional police heads and various unit commanders on effective policing and professional conduct of men and officers in discharging their duties. He made some tactical changes in some divisions and formed Special Squad to join hands with Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to combat kidnapping.
Shaba’s major achievements were recorded in two dreaded communities of Ovwian-Aladja in Udu Local Government and Ekpan in Uvwie Council, where he is currently serving. He and his team took the battle to the criminals’ den in Udu. They were able to bring some level of calmness to the place within a short period of time.
This prompted his re-deployment to Ekpan Division, another notorious community on the request of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. He adopted mopping of arms exercise with the aide of community leaders. They sensitised the factional youths of various quarters to surrender their weapons. Over 700 youths surrendered their arms and ammunition to the police for the duration the exercise lasted.
Shaba identified notorious gangster leaders in the community and tracked them down one after the other. He brought down Emomotimi, the most wanted gang leader who had confessed to be responsible for the killings of policemen and carting away their weapons, as well as high profile robbery cases recorded in Warri and its environs.
Others nabbed included Gift, Atare, Godspower, who had confessed to the killing of the son of Orhunworun monarch in Udu and Ogbanje.
Edafe was adjudged the most friendly and efficient on the job. He has served three police commissioners. His friendly disposition even when under pressure shows his resilience and commitment to his duties.
He has proved himself over the years to be resourceful in handling briefings and other media related activities.
Vice President Kashim Shettima led the presentation of the awards. Other dignitaries included Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa and Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
Security watchers commended these men for deserving the honours and commendations. They urged others to see subsequent events like this as opportunity to prove themselves worthy in character and professionalism.