The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), validating an earlier report by Newspread.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, approved the appointment of Placid, describing him as a seasoned officer with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training and international peacekeeping.
Placid, who was born on December 2, 1970 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, 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 Law at the National Open University of Nigeria.
Placid joined the police 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). His certifications cover 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 police spokesman has served in several strategic roles within and outside Nigeria. His postings include Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State, PPRO 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.
He has also served as 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 in charge of the Intelligence Department 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 serves as a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer as well as an International Committee of the Red Cross trainer on International Humanitarian Law.
He is also 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.
The statement announcing the appointment was signed by the outgoing Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.
The police also disclosed that the IGP approved the appointment of CSP Ali Giwa as the Force New Media Officer.
Placid is married with children and enjoys listening to music, playing football, basketball, table tennis and badminton, as well as engaging with people.