IGP Appoints DCP Anthony Placid as New Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer
A leadership transition has occurred within the media and communication structure of the Nigeria Police Force following the approval of a new Force Public Relations Officer.
PulseNets learnt that 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 of the Nigeria Police Force.
The appointment signals a change in leadership within the police media and public communication structure. In his new capacity, Placid will coordinate public communication, oversee media engagement, and manage the dissemination of official information on behalf of the Force.
PulseNets reported that Placid takes over from the outgoing Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who served as the official spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force and frequently addressed journalists on security developments and operational updates.
PulseNets obtained a statement confirming the development, issued on Sunday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The statement was signed by Hundeyin as he formally concluded his tenure as the Force spokesperson.
According to the statement, Placid is described as a seasoned police officer with extensive operational and administrative experience across multiple strategic units of the Force. His professional background covers intelligence operations, policing strategy, training programmes, and international peacekeeping assignments.
Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, the newly appointed spokesperson hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
PulseNets learnt that Placid holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo. He also obtained a Master of Arts degree in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos. In addition, he pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree at the National Open University of Nigeria.
The statement further detailed his professional background and training.
**“He was appointed into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy, Kano, in 1996, and was commissioned in August 1998.
“He has attended several professional and international courses, including United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST), with certifications as expert in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, and Civilian Protection. UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding course in Kenya.
“DCP Placid has served in various strategic capacities within and outside the country, including Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adamawa State; PPRO, Police Staff College, Jos; Chief of Training, African Union Mission in Sudan; Head of Training and Development, United Nations Mission in Darfur; Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu; Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Robbery Unit, Kaduna State; African Union Election Security Adviser; Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Akwa Ibom and Kogi States; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Department, Abia State; and Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance, Zone 3 Headquarters, Yola.”**
PulseNets also learnt that Placid is affiliated with several international professional bodies. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and serves as a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer. He is also involved in training programmes with the International Committee of the Red Cross on International Humanitarian Law.
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Further records obtained by PulseNets indicate that Placid is a graduate of the Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru. He was formally inducted as a Member of the National Institute (mni) on December 13, 2025, shortly before his redeployment to Cross River State.
Outside official duties, the new police spokesperson is married with children and maintains interests in music and sports, including football, basketball, table tennis, and badminton.
