The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anthony Placid, as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force.
Placid takes over from the outgoing spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, who had served as the Force Public Relations Officer at the police headquarters in Abuja.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Hundeyin at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, confirming the leadership change in the police communication unit.
According to the statement, Placid is a seasoned police officer with extensive experience spanning administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peacekeeping missions.
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.
The new police spokesperson also studied law at the National Open University of Nigeria where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree.
Placid joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Nigeria Police Academy, Kanoin 1996 and was formally commissioned into the force in August 1998.
Throughout his career, he has attended several professional and international courses, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training, where he obtained 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, further strengthening his expertise in international security and peacebuilding operations.
The statement noted that Placid has served in several strategic roles within and outside Nigeria. His previous assignments include Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College in Jos.
He also served as Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan and Head of Training and Development for the United Nations Mission in Darfur.
Within Nigeria, Placid has held operational positions as Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu, as well as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State.
Other key roles include African Union Election Security Adviser, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Akwa Ibom and Kogi states, and Assistant Commissioner of Police in the Intelligence Department in Abia State.
Until his latest appointment, he served as Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance at Zone 3 Headquarters in Yola.
Placid is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer. He is equally a trainer with the International Committee of the Red Cross on International Humanitarian Law.
He is 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 new police spokesperson is married with children and enjoys listening to music and playing football, basketball, table tennis, and badminton.
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