Augustine Angasei Ekeowei was a fearless, disciplined, and highly respected Nigerian police officer whose career in the 1970s and 1980s was marked by courage, integrity, and an unyielding commitment to justice. Renowned for his zero tolerance for crime and illegality, he stood as a symbol of principled law enforcement in an era when such values were deeply needed.
Early Life and Background
He was born in October 1939 in Azuzama community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of present-day Bayelsa State, into the family of Angasei Ekeowei and Kefini Ekeowei. He was the youngest of five children and grew up in modest circumstances that shaped his resilience, humility, and determination.
Education and Formative Years
Augustine began his education at Bishop Crowther Memorial School, Abonnema (in present-day Rivers State) in the mid-1940s, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate.
Brilliant and hardworking, he reportedly emerged among the best pupils of his set. However, due to financial constraints, he could not proceed to secondary education—a limitation that did not deter his ambition.
With guidance from his maternal uncle, Chief Jephthah Okowuru Pulotua, a respected policeman, he nurtured a lifelong passion for law enforcement.
Police Career and Rise Through the Ranks
In 1960, Augustine Angasei Ekeowei was enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force after completing training at the Police Training School in Enugu. His early postings included:
- Ukwale (1960–1962)
- Ibadan (1962)
- Sapele and Benin City (mid-1960s)
During the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1969), he was incarcerated due to his refusal to participate in the war—an act that reflected his strong personal convictions.
Following the war, he resumed duty in Lagos, then Nigeria’s capital, and rose steadily through the ranks to become a District Police Officer (DPO) in the mid-1970s.
He served in several key locations including:
- Andoni
- Bonny
- Nkoro
- Rumukurushi and Rumuokoro
- Kaiama and Aleibiri
- Calabar (Airport Police Station)
He later became Officer-in-Charge of Payment (OC-Pay) at the Police Headquarters, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, where he served until his death.
He retired posthumously at the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
Gallantry and Achievements
Augustine Angasei Ekeowei distinguished himself through remarkable bravery and intelligence in crime-fighting operations.
Among his notable exploits:
- Acting as an undercover operative to dismantle organized armed robbery networks in Lagos
- Re-arresting a fugitive nearly 10 years after escape
- Leading a two-day siege on armed robbers’ hideout along the Kaiama axis, resulting in successful apprehension
His service earned him several commendations within the Nigerian Police Force.
His defining traits—honesty, discipline, courage, and professional excellence—set him apart as an officer of rare distinction.
Character and Personal Life
Known for his strict yet fair nature, Augustine was:
- A meticulous and principled officer
- A workaholic dedicated to duty
- A man who handled conflicts with professionalism and precision
He was also a devoted family man. A polygamist, he married:
- Mrs. Waribukor Ekeowei (1962)
- Mrs. Blessing Ekeowei (1967)
He was blessed with 16 children, whom he nurtured with discipline, love, and strong moral instruction. Despite his demanding career, he remained actively involved in their education and upbringing.
Faith and Beliefs
Though Anglican by background, Augustine’s spiritual life was deeply personal. He engaged actively in Bible study, particularly with Jehovah’s Witnesses, and consistently taught his children scriptural values.
His faith was expressed more in practice and moral conviction than in formal religious attendance.
Illness and Passing
In his final months, Augustine Angasei Ekeowei battled Cancer for approximately four months.
He passed away in March 1993 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the age of 54, bringing to a close a life defined by courage, service, and integrity.
Legacy
Augustine Angasei Ekeowei remains a shining example of what a law enforcement officer should be—fearless in duty, incorruptible in character, and unwavering in purpose.
His legacy lives on in the lives he protected, the criminals he brought to justice, and the values he instilled in his children and community.
He was not just a police officer—he was a guardian of justice and a man of principle.
