The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anthony Okon Placid, as the new Force Public Relations Officer.
The appointment places Placid at the head of public communication for the Nigeria Police Force, following years of service across administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peace support missions.
Born on 2 December 1970 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Placid is from Mbiokporo Nsit No. 1, Asang Clan in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. He studied Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Uyo, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He also obtained a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos and later studied Law at the National Open University of Nigeria.
He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1996 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy in Kano and was commissioned in August 1998.
Over the years, he has taken part in a wide range of professional and international training programmes. These include the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training, where he earned certifications in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, and Civilian Protection. He also attended the UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding Course in Kenya.
Placid has held several key positions both in Nigeria and abroad. His previous roles include Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College in Jos. He also served as Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan and as Head of Training and Development for the United Nations Mission in Darfur.
Within the country, he has worked as Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing, Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu. He also served as Officer in Charge of the Anti Robbery Unit in Kaduna State, African Union Election Security Adviser, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of 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, Yola.
Beyond his operational and administrative duties, Placid is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He is also a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer and an International Committee of the Red Cross trainer in International Humanitarian Law.
He is a graduate of the Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru. He was inducted as a Member of the National Institute on 13 December 2025 before his redeployment to Cross River State.
Married with children, Placid enjoys music and sports, including football, basketball, table tennis, and badminton. He is also known for his interest in building strong relationships with people.
His appointment is expected to bring extensive field experience and institutional knowledge to the office of the Force Public Relations Officer.
