The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force.
Placid, a seasoned officer with decades of professional experience in policing, administration, operations, intelligence, and international peacekeeping, takes over the strategic role of managing the public communications of the police.
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. He 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, Kano, in 1996 and was formally commissioned into the force in August 1998.
Over the years, he has undertaken numerous professional and international courses, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST), where he earned 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.
Throughout his career, the senior officer has served in several strategic capacities within and outside Nigeria. His postings 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; and Head of Training and Development at the United Nations Mission in Darfur.
Placid has also served as Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu. Other roles include 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 the Intelligence Department in Abia State, and Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance at Zone 3 Headquarters in Yola.
In addition, he is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and serves as a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer as well as an International Humanitarian Law trainer with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Placid 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 on December 13, 2025, shortly before his redeployment to Cross River State.
The newly appointed Force spokesperson is married with children. In his leisure time, he enjoys listening to music, playing football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and interacting with people.
