Nigeria Police appoints DCP Anthony Okon Placid as new Force PRO and introduces CSP Ali Giwa as first New Media Officer to strengthen digital communication.
The Nigeria Police Force has announced a significant change in its communication leadership with the appointment of a new Force Public Relations Officer and the creation of a New Media Office aimed at strengthening digital engagement.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO). He replaces Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, who previously served as the police spokesperson at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The appointment is part of a broader effort by the Nigeria Police Force to modernize its communication strategy and improve engagement with the public at a time when the country continues to grapple with various security challenges.
DCP Placid is widely regarded as a seasoned police officer with extensive experience spanning administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peacekeeping assignments. Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, he hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
Academically, Placid 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 pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B).
He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1996 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy in Kano and was formally commissioned in August 1998. Over the years, he has attended numerous professional and international training programs, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialized Training (POST), where he earned certifications in police studies, military studies, gender awareness, international humanitarian law, human rights, and civilian protection.
Placid’s career includes several strategic postings both within Nigeria and internationally. He served as Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College in Jos. Internationally, he held positions such as Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan and Head of Training and Development for the United Nations Mission in Darfur.
Within Nigeria, he has served as Divisional Police Officer in locations including Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu. He also worked as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State, 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 to his operational roles, Placid is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and serves as a trainer on International Humanitarian Law for the International Committee of the Red Cross. He is also a Commonwealth Human Rights trainer and a graduate of the Senior Executive Course 47 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, where he was inducted as a Member of the National Institute in December 2025.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police has also appointed Chief Superintendent of Police Ali Giwa as the first-ever Force New Media Officer. The newly created role is designed to oversee the Force’s digital communication, social media engagement, and online public outreach.
The move has been welcomed by several officers and observers, including Bright Edafe, who praised Giwa as a mentor and a dedicated professional in police communication.
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With the appointments of DCP Placid and CSP Giwa, the police leadership hopes to strengthen public trust, enhance transparency, and adapt to the rapidly evolving digital media landscape while addressing Nigeria’s security concerns.