The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anthony Okon Placid, as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force.
The announcement was made on Sunday in a statement issued by the outgoing Force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to the statement, Placid is a seasoned police officer with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peacekeeping missions.
Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the new spokesperson 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 degree in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos. Placid 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 Nigeria Police Academy Kano in 1996 and was commissioned into the force in August 1998.
Over the course of his career, he has participated in 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 attended the UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding Course in Kenya.
He has served in several strategic positions both within Nigeria and internationally. 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.
Placid 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 roles held by him 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.
He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and also 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.
The statement noted that the appointment forms part of ongoing efforts by the police leadership to strengthen strategic communication and public engagement within the Nigeria Police Force.
The new Force spokesperson is married with children and enjoys listening to music, playing football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and interacting with people.
