The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the appointment of Anthony Okon Placid, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force.
The appointment was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by the outgoing Force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to the statement, the new police spokesman is a seasoned officer with extensive experience spanning administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peacekeeping.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the appointment of DCP Anthony Okon Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer,” Hundeyin said.
Placid, born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo, a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos, and also studied Law at the National Open University of Nigeria.
Placid joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy Kano in 1996 and was commissioned into the force in August 1998.
Over the years, he has undergone several professional and international trainings, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training, where he obtained certifications in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, and Civilian Protection.
He also participated in the UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding Course in Kenya.
Throughout his career, the officer has served in several strategic roles within and outside Nigeria. These include Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College, Jos; Chief of Training with the African Union Mission in Sudan; and Head of Training and Development with the United Nations Mission in Darfur.
He also served as Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu, as well as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State.
Other positions held by Placid include African Union Election Security Adviser; Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Akwa Ibom and Kogi States; Assistant Commissioner of Police in the Intelligence Department in Abia State; and Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance at Zone 3 Headquarters in Yola.
The new police spokesperson is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and serves as a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer and trainer on International Humanitarian Law with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Placid is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, where he was inducted as a Member of the National Institute in December 2025.
Hundeyin noted that the appointment comes as part of ongoing efforts by the police leadership to strengthen strategic communication and public engagement within the force.
The new Force spokesperson is married with children and enjoys listening to music, playing football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and interacting with people.
