The Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Mr Salihu Garuba, has said that criminal activities in the state dropped during his tenure.

Garuba made the statement during the pull-out ceremony held in his honour at the Command headquarters, Ilorin, on Friday to mark his retirement from service after 35 years.

He said he started served as a Sub-Inspector in Kwara in 1981 and was happy to be retiring as a Commissioner of Police in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that I Garuba was the 30th Commissioner of Police in Kwara while Mr J.B. Amu was the first and served from 1968 to 1969.

"It gladdens my heart whenever I remember how I started my police career as a promising young adult in Kwara and exiting the service at the state by making sure that people sleep with their eyes closed.

"I have also been privileged to be the Chairman of the State Security with other agencies while serious and heinous crimes like bank robbery, homicides and others have been brought under control," Garuba said.

He attributed successes recorded in crime control during his tenure to the cordial relationship and cooperation of other security agencies, the state government, traditional rulers and the people.

Garuba said that the security agencies in Kwara, such as Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force and paramilitary services were able to forge common understanding that they all had responsibility to protect lives and property.

Garuba said that the police under his command with the cooperation of the people were able to keep the state peaceful and maintained the appellation of 'State of harmony'.

He implored officers and men of the police in the state to extend the cooperation given to him to his successor to sustain the peace in Kwara.

"No effort should be spared in making sure that Kwara remains peaceful and conducive," Garuba said. He expressed gratitude to the Inspector- General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, for the confidence reposed in him to serve as commissioner in the state.

Garuba also thanked Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, the chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers and religious leaders for their support. Garuba in company with his wife was later pulled out of Nigeria Police Force by senior police officer.

The colourful ceremony featured a parade commanded by SP Muftau Badiru and a detachment of mobile policemen.

It also featured a mock parade put up by members of Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) who were attired in mobile police uniforms.