The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed an earlier report by EveryDayLagos that Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid has been appointed as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO).
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, approved the appointment of Placid to head the Force Public Relations Department.
The confirmation validates an earlier EveryDayLagos report that the seasoned police officer would replace the outgoing Force PRO, Benjamin Hundeyin.
According to the police statement signed by Hundeyin, Placid is a veteran officer with extensive experience spanning 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 of the state. 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 studied for a Bachelor of Laws degree at the National Open University of Nigeria.
Placid joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy in Kano in 1996 and was commissioned in August 1998.
Over the years, he has undergone several professional and international courses, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training, with 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.
The new FPRO has served in several strategic roles within and outside Nigeria. His postings include Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College in Jos; Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan; Head of Training and Development at the United Nations Mission in Darfur; and Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan and Gembu.
He also served as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State, 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.
Placid is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer, as well as a trainer on International Humanitarian Law with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
He is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute (mni) on December 13, 2025.
The police also announced the appointment of CSP Ali Giwa as the Force New Media Officer.
Placid takes over from Hundeyin, who signed the statement as the outgoing Force Public Relations Officer at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.