The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has reorganised the media structure of the Nigeria Police Force with the creation of a new department known as the New Media Office.
The newly established office will be headed by Chief Superintendent of Police, Ali Giwa, who had earlier been reported as a likely successor to the outgoing Force Public Relations Officer.
The department is expected to strengthen the police force’s magazine and social media communication strategy, although its full mandate has not yet been officially disclosed.
Sources indicated that arrangements to operationalise the office will commence on Monday, March 9, 2026.
In a related development, the police chief has appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anthony Placid, as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), replacing Assistant Commissioner of Police, Benjamin Hundeyin.
Placid, who was born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1996 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy, Kano, and was commissioned in August 1998.
Over the course of his career, Placid has undertaken several local and international training programmes, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST). His academic qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo, a Master’s degree in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos, and a Bachelor of Laws from the National Open University of Nigeria.
He is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, where he was inducted as a Member of the National Institute (MNI) in December 2025.
Throughout his policing career, Placid has served in various capacities, including Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College, Jos. He has also worked 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.
Before his new appointment, he served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration at the Cross River State Police Command from January 9, 2026.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Aliyu Abubakar has been appointed as the Head of the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit.
Although the police authorities are yet to issue a formal statement, sources within the force suggest that more restructuring may follow in the coming weeks as the IGP moves to strengthen internal operations.