IGP appoints DCP Anthony Placid as Force PRO

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 of the Nigeria Police Force.

Placid replaces Benjamin Hundeyin, who served as the spokesperson of the force before the new appointment announced on Sunday.

According to a statement issued from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Placid is a seasoned police officer with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training and international peacekeeping.

Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the new police spokesman 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 for a Bachelor of Laws degree.

Placid joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy Kano in 1996 and was commissioned in August 1998.

Over the years, he has attended several professional and international courses, 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.

The new Force PRO has served in several strategic capacities within and outside Nigeria. His previous roles include Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College, Jos; Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan; and Head of Training and Development for 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 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, Yola.

Placid is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer, as well as an International Committee of the Red Cross trainer on International Humanitarian Law.

He is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute in December 2025 before his redeployment to Cross River State.

Placid is married with children and enjoys listening to music, playing football, basketball, table tennis and badminton, as well as engaging with people.