Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Police in the reduction of crimes and criminal activities in the state during the yuletide, just as he assured the state police command of more equipment to boost the morale of the officers and men for improved performance.

He stated that government had procured more Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and bullet-proof jackets for the personnel of the state security outfit, Operation Burst, saying that this would be extended to the state command of the Nigerian Police.

Speaking while receiving the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 11 Osogbo, Mr. David Oluwafemi Omojola, who was on a courtesy visit to him in his office in Ibadan on Monday, the governor said statistics had shown that for the third year running, crimes and criminal activities had greatly reduced in the state during the yuletide seasons, attributing this to the effectiveness and efficiency of the police.

According to him, the police are now more proactive in the discharge of their duties at curbing criminal activities in the state in particular and Nigeria as a whole, especially in the outgoing year.

``The police generally in Nigeria today have become better than they used to be; they are friendlier, more strategic, more accommodating and are working closely with the people. They are very much people-friendly. "The crop of officers we have today are more educated, enlightened and exposed. This has helped a lot in cementing the relationship between the police and public,” he said.

He attributed the successes recorded by his administration to the cooperation and support of the police, pledging that his administration would continue to collaborate with the police to further enhance their performance.

In his remarks, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police commended the support of the state government to the state police command which he said had resulted in the outstanding performance of the officers and men of the command.

He also lauded the cooperation of the entire people of the state to the police in their efforts to reduce the crime rate in the state to the barest minimum.

AIG Omojola, who observed that the state was relatively peaceful due to the cooperation of the state government, traditional institution and the entire people of the state, said that things were now getting better, as the state had continued to witness developments in all ramifications.