By Nkechi Eze
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has approved the appointment of Anthony Okon Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force.
The development was disclosed in an official statement issued by the outgoing Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who described DCP Placid as a seasoned 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, a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (M.A.L.D) from the University of Jos, and also studied Law at the National Open University of Nigeria where he pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B).
DCP Placid joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Nigeria Police Academy in 1996 and was commissioned in August 1998.
Over the course of his career, he has attended several professional and international courses, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST), where he obtained certifications as an expert in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, and Civilian Protection. He also attended the UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding Course in Kenya.
He has served in several strategic capacities within and outside Nigeria, including Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College, Jos; Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan; and Head of Training and Development for the United Nations Mission in Darfur.
Other key assignments include Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu; 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, Intelligence Department in Abia State; and Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance at Zone 3 Headquarters, Yola.
Placid is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and serves as a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer as well as a trainer for the International Committee of the Red Cross on International Humanitarian Law.
He is a graduate of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 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, before his redeployment to Cross River State.
DCP Placid is married with children and enjoys listening to music, as well as playing football, basketball, table tennis and badminton.
