IGP Appoints DCP Anthony Okon Placid as New Force Public Relations Officer

Kingsley Ohens reporting

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) of the Nigeria Police Force.

DCP Placid, a seasoned police officer with decades of service, brings to the position extensive professional experience spanning administration, operations, intelligence, training and international peacekeeping assignments.

Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, he 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 and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos. He also pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme at the National Open University of Nigeria.

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

Throughout his career, he has undertaken numerous professional and international training programmes, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST), 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.

His operational and administrative experience spans several strategic postings within Nigeria and on international assignments. He has served as Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College, Jos; Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan and Gembu; Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State; and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Akwa Ibom and Kogi States.

On the international stage, DCP Placid has held key roles including Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan and Head of Training and Development for the United Nations Mission in Darfur. He has also served as an African Union Election Security Adviser and as Assistant Commissioner of Police in the Intelligence Department in Abia State, among several other responsibilities.

In addition, he served as Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance at Zone 3 Headquarters, Yola, further strengthening his reputation as a versatile and experienced law enforcement administrator.

DCP Placid is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and serves as a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer as well as an International Humanitarian Law trainer with the International Committee of the Red Cross. He is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, where he was inducted as a Member of the National Institute (mni) on December 13, 2025.

Before his latest appointment, he had been redeployed to Cross River State.

The appointment was formally announced in a statement issued by the outgoing Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who signed the communication on behalf of the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

DCP Placid is married with children and enjoys listening to music, as well as playing football, basketball, table tennis and badminton. He is also known for his passion for engaging with people and fostering community relations.