The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force.
Placid replaces the outgoing police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, who has been redeployed as part of ongoing administrative adjustments within the police hierarchy.
DCP Placid is regarded as a seasoned officer with extensive experience spanning administration, operations, intelligence, training and international peacekeeping assignments.
Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, he 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 and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos. He also pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) at the National Open University of Nigeria.
Placid joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1996 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano and was formally commissioned into the force in August 1998.
Over the course of his career, he has undertaken several professional and international training programmes, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST). He has also obtained certifications in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Civilian Protection.
The newly appointed police spokesperson has served in various strategic capacities both within Nigeria and internationally.
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His previous postings include serving as Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and as PPRO at the Police Staff College in Jos.
Placid also served as Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan and later as Head of Training and Development at the United Nations Mission in Darfur.
Within Nigeria, he has held several operational roles, including 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.
He also served as African Union Election Security Adviser, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Akwa Ibom and Kogi State, 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.
Placid is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and also serves as a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer.
He is equally a trainer with the International Committee of the Red Cross on International Humanitarian Law.
In further recognition of his leadership credentials, he attended the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute (mni) on December 13, 2025.
Outside his professional duties, the new Force spokesperson enjoys listening to music and playing sports such as football, basketball, table tennis and badminton.
He is also known for his interest in engaging with people and building relationships across diverse communities.