New IGP Disu Appoints DCP Placid as FPRPO

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid, psc(+), mni, as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force.

DCP Placid takes over from Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Hundeyin, who had served as the Force spokesperson since September 2025. The development was officially confirmed on Sunday through a statement issued by the outgoing FPRO from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

As previously reported by NaijaChoice News, the appointment comes barely days after the leadership transition at the top of the Nigeria Police Force. Former IGP Kayode Egbetokun stepped down, paving the way for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint IGP Disu, with the Nigeria Police Council later ratifying the move.

In the statement announcing the change, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin described the new FPRO as “a seasoned officer with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peacekeeping.”

DCP Anthony Okon Placid was born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state.

A thoroughbred professional, 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 from the University of Jos, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the National Open University of Nigeria.

He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1996 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano, and was commissioned into the Force on August 15, 1998. With nearly three decades of distinguished service, DCP Placid has held several strategic operational and administrative positions both within Nigeria and on international peacekeeping missions.

His impressive career trajectory includes serving as 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; Head of Training and Development for the United Nations Mission in Darfur; Divisional Police Officer in various commands including 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) in Abia State; and Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance at Zone 3 Headquarters, Yola (and later Cross River).

He has attended numerous high-level professional courses, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST), with 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.

DCP Placid is a graduate of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute (mni) on December 13, 2025. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer, and an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Trainer on International Humanitarian Law.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force has not disclosed any official reason for the removal of ACP Benjamin Hundeyin from the position, nor has his next posting been announced.

Observers, however, view the development as part of the broader internal restructuring and repositioning of the Force under the new Inspector-General of Police aimed at strengthening operational efficiency and public communication.

DCP Placid, who is married with children and enjoys music, football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and engaging with people, is expected to assume duties immediately at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.