The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has officially approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anthony Placid, as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), replacing Benjamin Hundeyin, who was appointed on September 3, 2025, by the immediate past Inspector-General, Kayode Egbetokun.
The announcement was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by the outgoing police spokesman, which also revealed the appointment of Chief Superintendent of Police, Ali Giwa, as the Force’s new Media Officer.
“The IG has approved the appointment of DCP Anthony Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer. DCP Placid is a seasoned officer of the Nigeria Police Force with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peacekeeping,” the statement read, highlighting the confidence of the police hierarchy in Placid’s capacity to manage public communication and represent the Force effectively.
DCP Anthony Placid, born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state. He is widely regarded as a highly trained and versatile officer whose academic foundation has equipped him for a diverse and distinguished career in policing and international peace operations.
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.
Additionally, he pursued legal studies at the National Open University of Nigeria, further broadening his expertise and equipping him with the knowledge necessary to navigate complex legal and operational challenges within the Nigeria Police Force.
Placid joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy in Kano in 1996 and was formally commissioned in August 1998. Over the years, he has attended several professional and international courses, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training program, which provided him with 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, equipping him with the leadership skills and strategic knowledge required for complex peacekeeping operations and high-level administrative responsibilities.
Throughout his career, Placid has held a variety of operational and leadership roles across the country and in international assignments. He served as Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College, Jos, where he developed extensive experience in media engagement, public communication, and crisis management.
On the international front, he served as Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan and as Head of Training and Development for the United Nations Mission in Darfur, roles that allowed him to train personnel and develop operational strategies in challenging environments.
Domestically, he has held leadership positions 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.
He also served as 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, demonstrating a career marked by versatility, operational excellence, and administrative competence.
In addition to his professional assignments, Placid maintains a strong record of international affiliations and professional development. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and serves as a trainer for the International Committee of the Red Cross on International Humanitarian Law, underscoring his expertise in global policing standards, humanitarian operations, and ethical leadership.
In recognition of his contributions to national security and policy, he graduated from the Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, where he was inducted as a Member of the National Institute in December 2025, shortly before his redeployment to Cross River State to assume his new role as the Force Public Relations Officer.