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).
Placid replaces DCP Benjamin Hundeyin, the immediate past spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and will be responsible for managing communication between the police and the public.
Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Placid is from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. He joined the police in 1996 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Nigeria Police Academy and was commissioned in August 1998.
Over nearly three decades of service, he has worked across operations, intelligence, training, and administration, both within Nigeria and on international peacekeeping missions.
Placid 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 studied law at the National Open University of Nigeria for a Bachelor of Laws degree.
His professional training includes the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training programme, where he earned certifications in police studies, military studies, gender awareness, international humanitarian law, human rights, and civilian protection. He also completed the UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding course in Kenya.
Throughout his career, Placid has held several key positions. He served as Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College in Jos. He also worked internationally as Chief of Training with the African Union Mission in Sudan and Head of Training and Development with the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur.
Within Nigeria, he has served as Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu; Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State; and African Union Election Security Adviser. He has also worked as 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.
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, where he was inducted as a Member of the National Institute in December 2025.
Colleagues describe him as approachable and people-oriented. Outside work, he enjoys listening to music, playing football, basketball, table tennis and badminton, and spending time interacting with people.
Placid is married with children. He can be reached on 07031179186.
