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.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the outgoing Force PRO, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, who described Placid as a seasoned officer with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training and international peacekeeping.
Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Placid hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. 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 a Bachelor of Laws degree from the National Open University of Nigeria.
Placid joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1996 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy in Kano and was commissioned in August 1998. Over the years, he has attended several professional and international training programmes, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training and the UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding course held in Kenya.
He also holds certifications in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Civilian Protection.
Throughout his career, Placid has held several key positions both within Nigeria and on international assignments. His previous roles include Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State, Public Relations Officer at the Police Staff College in 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.
In addition, he has worked as an African Union Election Security Adviser and held operational and intelligence leadership roles as Assistant Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Kogi and Abia States.
Placid is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and also serves as a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer and an International Committee of the Red Cross trainer on International Humanitarian Law.
He is a graduate of the Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute on December 13, 2025.
The newly appointed police spokesperson is married with children and enjoys listening to music, playing football, basketball, table tennis and badminton, as well as engaging with people.
What you should know
DCP Anthony Okon Placid has been appointed as the new Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force.
With decades of experience in policing, international peacekeeping and public relations, he replaces ACP Benjamin Hundeyin and is expected to oversee the communication and media engagement of the police nationwide.
