IGP Appoints DCP Anthony Okon Placid as New Force PRO

IGP Appoints DCP Anthony Okon Placid as New Force PRO

By Temidayo Babalola 

The Olatunji Rilwan Disu, Inspector-General of Police, 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.

Placid, a seasoned police officer with decades of experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training and international peacekeeping, takes over the position following the exit of Benjamin Hundeyin from the role.

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 and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos. He also studied Law at the National Open University of Nigeria for a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B).

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

Over the years, he has attended several professional and international courses, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST), where he obtained 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.

The new FPRO has served in several strategic capacities both within and outside Nigeria. His previous roles include 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 with 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 charge of Intelligence in Abia State; and Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance at Zone 3 Headquarters, Yola.

Placid is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and also serves as a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer and trainer on International Humanitarian Law for 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.

Placid is married with children and enjoys listening to music, as well as playing football, basketball, table tennis and badminton.