IGP Disu Appoints DCP Anthony Okon Placid as New Nigeria Police Force PRO

IGP Disu Appoints DCP Anthony Okon Placid as New Nigeria Police Force PRO

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force, replacing Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Hundeyin in a strategic leadership reshuffle of the Force’s media and communication arm.

The announcement was confirmed at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja on Sunday, March 8, 2026, marking a significant change in the Force’s approach to public communication, media relations, and information dissemination.

Career and Background

Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, DCP Placid hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. He holds a Bachelor of Science 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 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, Kano, and was commissioned in August 1998. He is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Course 47 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute (MNI) in December 2025.

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Extensive Experience in Policing and Peacekeeping

DCP Placid brings over 25 years of service, including operational, administrative, and strategic roles in the Force. His distinguished career spans:

• Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College, Jos
• Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan
• Head of Training and Development for the United Nations Mission in Darfur
• Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu
• Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Robbery Unit, Kaduna State
• African Union Election Security Adviser
• Assistant Commissioner of Police in operations and intelligence departments across multiple states
• DCP in charge of Finance and Administration in Cross River State

Placid has also completed multiple international courses, including UN Peace Operations Specialised Training, with certifications in police studies, military studies, gender awareness, international humanitarian law, human rights, and civilian protection. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer, and trains with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on humanitarian law.

Personal Life and Interests

DCP Placid is married with children. Beyond his professional commitments, he enjoys football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and listening to music.

Strategic Implications for Nigeria Police Force

The appointment of DCP Placid reflects the IGP’s efforts to strengthen police communication, enhance media engagement, and build public trust. Analysts say his extensive experience in media relations, public affairs, and international policing positions him to modernize the Force’s public outreach, including digital platforms and stakeholder engagement initiatives.

Outgoing spokesperson ACP Hundeyin formally handed over the role, emphasizing Placid’s deep expertise and strategic insight, which he described as crucial for effective police communication during ongoing national security challenges.

IGP Disu Appoints DCP Anthony Okon Placid as New Nigeria Police Force PRO